Rohan Bopanna, 43, creates history, becomes oldest-ever Grand Slam champion
Bopanna also became the oldest player to achieve No.1 ranking in men's doubles.
Carlos Alcaraz eased into the fourth round of the Australian Open for the first time on Saturday after Chinese wildcard Shang Juncheng retired hurt while trailing their uneven contest 6-1, 6-1, 1-0.
For just over an hour on Rod Laver Arena, twice Grand Slam champion Alcaraz simply beat 18-year-old Shang in the uncommon position of playing someone younger than himself.
At 4-1 down in the second set, Shang, nicknamed “Jerry” at his training base in Florida, had taken a medical timeout for treatment on his leg. At the beginning of the third set, he gave up after breaking for the sixth time.
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“I wish him a speedy recovery and it’s not the way anybody wants to move on,” stated second-seeded Alcaraz, who will face Serbian Miomir Kecmanovic in the round of 16.
“I was excited to play this match because he had an incredible start to the year, playing fantastic games… Jerry and I may have desired to play a lengthy game.”
Shang made Chinese history last year as a qualifier when he advanced to the second round. His goal was to become the first Chinese male to get to the Grand Slam round of sixteen since 1938.
However, the teenager lacked the game on his return to have a look at the Spaniard’s and was unable to gather enough force on his serve to be confident of holding.
Alcaraz breezed through the first two sets, barely needing to shift out of first gear. To keep the fans interested, he occasionally produced a spectacular lob or crosscourt winner.
After suffering from a hamstring injury and watching the year’s first Grand Slam from his couch, the 20-year-old was thrilled to make it to the final round of the competition for the first time in his three trips to Melbourne Park.
“This is the first time I’ve played the second week here and it feels special,” he stated.
“My goal going into this competition this year was to outperform my 2022 performance. I completed it. And now is the moment to continue, get better at what you’re doing, and perhaps go through the rounds.
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