Carlos Alcaraz delivered a formidable performance on Saturday at the Australian Open, overpowering Shang Juncheng, who eventually had to retire.
Just a day after defending champion Novak Djokovic showcased his top form, the world number two, Alcaraz, made a strong statement in a decidedly one-sided third-round match that lasted only 66 minutes.
The 20-year-old, experiencing a tour-level match against an opponent younger than himself for the first time in his career, was leading 6-1, 6-1, 1-0 when the 18-year-old Chinese player had to withdraw.
Shang, entering the match on Rod Laver Arena with his upper right thigh strapped, received treatment for the injury during the second set.
Alcaraz, demonstrating dominance throughout, did not face a single break point, setting up a last-16 encounter with Serbia's Miomir Kecmanovic. Kecmanovic saved two match points to defeat last year's semi-finalist Tommy Paul 6-4, 3-6, 2-6, 7-6(9/7), 6-0.
As the Spanish second seed competes with Djokovic for the number one ranking, a potential final showdown between them could determine the top spot.
Reflecting on the match and Shang's injury, Alcaraz, who missed last year's tournament due to injury, expressed that moving on in this manner was not the preferred scenario, emphasizing the special feeling of reaching the second week in Australia.
In other Saturday action, women's 12th seed Zheng Qinwen drew inspiration from Chinese great Li Na's 2014 final victory as she triumphed over compatriot Wang Yafan 6-4, 2-6, 7-6 (10/8).
Zheng recalled Li Na's historic win, stating, "That final I have watched it more than 10 times, so I have a lot of memories. I mean, she was an unbelievable player, the first Asian woman who won the Grand Slam. How can you not remember that."
While men's ninth seed Hubert Hurkacz advanced, former US Open champion Sloane Stephens suffered defeat at the hands of Russia's Anna Kalinskaya. /BGNES
