Carlos Alcaraz and Jack Draper. Carlos Alcaraz and Jack Draper.

Carlos Alcaraz stepped into the Australian Open quarter-finals, and a possible meeting with Novak Djokovic, after Jack Draper retired hurt. (Full Coverage | More Tennis News)

Alcaraz was leading 7-5 6-1 when Draper, who seemingly required treatment at the end of the first set, bowed out.

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Draper came into Sunday's fourth-round encounter on the back of three five-set matches, and the fatigue may well have caught up with him.

The 23-year-old Brit was not moving freely through the second set, and gave up on several points before eventually calling time.

It means Alcaraz has progressed into back-to-back quarter-finals at Melbourne Park.

"It's not the way that I want to win a match," the Spaniard said in his on-court interview. "I'm happy to play in another quarter-final here in Australia, but sad for Jack. He doesn't deserve this. I'm sad for him.

"For sure, he'll come back stronger, as he always does. I want to wish him a speedy recovery."

2 - Carlos Alcaraz is the youngest player in the Open Era to reach his second Grand Slam quarter-final at each of the four Men’s Singles Grand Slam events. Duplicates.#AO2025 | @AustralianOpen @atptour

— OptaAce (@OptaAce) January 19, 2025

Alcaraz was made to work for the opening set,ph11 official website with Draper recovering from 5-3 down.

However, Alcaraz clicked through the gears to capitalise on Draper's struggles in the second.

"I'm happy with the level I'm playing," added the four-time grand slam champion. "On and off the court, I'm feeling really comfortable here. Physically, I feel great. Coming into the second week of a grand slam, it's really important to feel well physically.

"I'm ready, I'm doing the correct things. I'm excited about playing my second quarter-final here, hopefully I'll get further this year."

Data Debrief: Completing the set

Alcaraz, who is hunting the career Grand Slam, is the youngest man in the Open Era to reach a second quarter-final at each of the four majors.

The 21-year-old has now won 64 of his 75 major matches. Only John McEnroe (65) won more of his first 75 grand slam ties.

On the other hand1xbet, Japan is coming off a defeat at the hands of India's dominance, losing 1-4 to the Men in Blue. Japan's sole goal came from Matsumoto who scored with a lucky deflection to give his side their first and only goal of the game.