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Miomir Kecmanovic navigated through a series of nail-biting encounters at the Australian Open, displaying remarkable resilience to stave off match points and advance to the last 16. However, his journey reached a formidable roadblock as he faced the world no.
2, Carlos Alcaraz, in an electrifying clash that ultimately ended in a 6-4, 6-4, 6-0 defeat in an hour and 49 minutes. Kecmanovic, gracious in defeat, lauded the Spanish star and the caliber of his game, emphasizing the immense challenge of competing against a two-time Major champion.
Carlos showcased his determination on the court, unleashing 43 winners with a mere 19 unforced errors in a masterful performance that propelled him to his maiden Australian Open quarter-final. Kecmanovic, in admiration of his opponent's stellar display, highlighted the unforgiving nature of the game when Alcaraz attains his peak performance.
As Miomir illustrated, facing Carlos demands constant elevation of one's game, as world no. 2 exhibits impeccable defense and ruthlessly capitalizes on any opportunity with scintillating winners.
Alcaraz dominated the rallies, asserting control in the shortest and more advanced exchanges. Additionally, world no. 2 maintained an impervious serve, conceding 16 points without facing a single break point. Exploiting opportunities, Carlos broke Miomir's serve two times in sets one and two, establishing a commanding lead and culminating the match with a resounding bagel in the third set.
The favorite made a reliable start, finding the range and hitting 18 winners in the first set. He broke in the third game after a lucky net cord winner and held in the next one with a backhand winner for 3-1. The Spaniard created a break point in the seventh game with a forehand winner, and the Serb denied it after the rival's routine forehand error.
Miomir Kecmanovic explained how tough it is to beat Carlos Alcaraz.
Alcaraz served for the set at 5-4 and landed an ace, securing the opener after 38 minutes. Carlos kept the same pace in the second set, taming his strokes nicely and maintaining the pressure on the other side.
Miomir stayed in touch early on, holding in game five for 3-2. Carlos held at love for 3-3 and increased the pace on the return in the next one. He broke with a backhand winner and opened a 5-3 lead with an unreturned serve in the next one.
Kecmanovic denied a set point on serve in game nine, prolonging the action before Alcaraz held at 5-4, forging two sets to love advantage after 81 minutes.
Carlos left the rival far behind in the third set, losing three points on serve and breaking Miomir three times for a bagel.
Alcaraz broke in the first game and repeated that at 2-0 with a blazing forehand crosscourt winner. The Spaniard created a break point in game five with a forehand down the line winner and seized it with a powerful backhand.
Carlos served for the victory at 5-0 and landed a service winner, securing a place in the quarter-final in style. "Carlos pushes you and does not allow you time and space to impose your shots. He defends in style and punishes a short ball with an instantaneous attack.
Carlos forces you to constantly play at your best and leaves you behind if you fail to follow that pace," Miomir Kecmanovic said.