Carlos Alcaraz’s campaign at the 2024 Australian Open is underway, with the Spaniard seeded second behind defending champion Novak Djokovic as he gears up for a tilt at a third grand slam title — despite being just 20 years old.
A champion at the US Open and Wimbledon in 2022 and 2023 respectively, Alcaraz has also reached the semifinals of the French Open, but his record at Melbourne Park is certainly an underwhelming one by comparison with his best-placed finish being in the third round two years ago.
In 2024 though, the Spaniard is on the hunt to a achieve a career-best result in Melbourne, and if successful in reaching the final, could meet 10-time winner Djokovic in a rematch of last year’s Wimbledon decider, which Alcaraz shocked the world by winning.
Pitted against Richard Gasquet in his first match, Alcaraz made light work of defeating the Frenchman in straight sets, and now has his sights set on progression to — and then beyond — the third round.
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A 7-6 6-1 6-2 victory for Alcaraz in round one saw him dispatch veteran Frenchman Richard Gasquet with little difficulty, edging the first set before thorough victories in the next two to reach the second round of the draw.
In round two, the 20-year-old will face Italy’s Lorenzo Sonego, who beat Briton Dan Evans by three sets to one in an enthralling match which saw Evans win the first set before losing the next three. The 4-6 7-6 6-2 7-6 scoreline shows just how tight an affair it was, and facing Alcaraz next means things don’t get any easier for Sonego.
Alcaraz vs. Sonego is scheduled to take place on Thursday, January 18 local time (AEDT).
Alcaraz and Sonego will face off in round two of the 2024 Australian Open on Thursday, January 18. The official match start time is yet to be confirmed, but will not take place before 1:30 pm local time (AEDT), following the contest between Danielle Collins and women’s world number one Iga Swiatek.
Although official listings are yet to be confirmed, it is most likely that Alcaraz’s second-round match will be chosen for live broadcast by rights holders around the world.
His first-round match against Richard Gasquet was shown via the following TV channels and live streams in the major territories:
His career is still very much in its early stages, yet Alcaraz has shown himself to be a serious contender, and a champion, at three of the four grand slams on offer in the ATP Tour. He’s yet to crack the Australian Open, although has only played twice at the tournament.
Being his debut year on the tour, the 2020 edition of the Australian Open came too early for the then 16-year-old, who reached the second round on his tournament debut in 2021. He progressed to the third in 2022, but missed last year’s competition through injury.