Carlos Alcaraz wary of next Australian Open opponent Miomir Kecmanović

Carlos Alcaraz is happy sufficient together with his Australian Open type to offer himself a ranking of “seven or eight” out of 10, however he is aware of he might want to elevate his depth in opposition to his subsequent opponent, Miomir Kecmanović.

Alcaraz superior to the fourth spherical at Melbourne Park for the primary time in his profession after Chinese language wildcard Shang Juncheng was pressured to retire when the world quantity two led 6-1, 6-1, 1-0 on Rod Laver Area.

Serbia’s Kecmanović moved by to face the reigning Wimbledon champion by way of a five-set defeat of American 14th seed Tommy Paul, who was a semifinalist final 12 months.

Kecmanović, who’s ranked 60 on this planet however has been as excessive as 27, would be the underdog in opposition to Alcaraz.

However he has motive to again his possibilities.

He gave Alcaraz a scare within the 2022 Miami Masters quarterfinals, with the Spaniard prevailing in a third-set tiebreak earlier than occurring to win the event.

It was a match two-time main winner Alcaraz has not forgotten.

“I keep in mind that match in 2022 in Miami,” Alcaraz mentioned at Melbourne Park on Saturday.

“He performed an unbelievable sport. Myself as properly.

“I feel it should be the identical struggle. He has crushed massive guys right here on this event, so I’ve to be ready … hopefully to take it in three units, however no person is aware of.

“I have to play at my greatest degree if I need to transfer on, so let’s examine how it should be.”

Alcaraz has solely dropped one set thus far throughout his Australian Open marketing campaign, saying he’s “feeling nice”.

“I feel I am bettering day by day, each match that I am enjoying I am feeling higher and higher shifting, hitting the ball, and, after all I am getting used to this courtroom as properly,” Alcaraz mentioned.

“I feel all the pieces is sweet.”