Carlos Alcaraz had a tough encounter with Lorenzo Sonego, with the Australian Open 2024 second favorite dropping a set and needing three and a half hours to reach the third round.

Carlos AlcarazPhoto: Marco Alpozzi/LaPresse/Shutterstock Editorial/Profimedia

Carlos Alcaraz lost the first set at the 2024 Australian Open

Alcaraz won the first set with his only break in the seventh game. It was 6-4 in favor of the Iberian.

The second set was evenly matched, with Alcaraz having the better serve (12-9) and fewer unforced errors (6-15), but losing in a tiebreaker, 7-3 to Sonego.

Carlos started the third set perfectly (leading 3-0) and his opponent could not catch up.

The fourth set began with service problems for both players (Carlos broke first, but Lorenzo recovered quickly) and the Spaniard won the tiebreak 7-3.

The game at Rod Laver Arena lasted three hours and 28 minutes.

Know:

  • In the third round of Australian Open 2024, Carlos Alcaraz will meet the winner of the match between Chinese Junchen Shang (140 ATP) and Indian Sumit Nagal (137 ATP).
  • Alcaraz leveled the situation in direct matches with Sonego. The Italian won in Cincinnati 2021 with a score of 6-3, 7-6(6).
  • Carlos equaled his best result since Melbourne (he also reached the third round in the 2022 edition).
  • Carlos Alcaraz has won two Grand Slam titles so far: US Open 2022 and Wimbledon 2023.

Australian Open 2024 will be held from January 14 to 28. The reigning champions are Novak Djokovic and Aryna Sabalenko.

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