Carlos Alcaraz 'will need to play better' as he makes Australian Open last 16 for first time, says Tim Henman

ByEurosport

Published 20/01/2024 at 08:39 GMT

Tim Henman has tempered expectations with Carlos Alcaraz set to contest the second week of the Australian Open for the first time in his career. The No. 2 seed progressed to the last 16 for the first time in his career and has dropped only one set so far at Melbourne Park. However, Eurosport expert Tim Henman feels Alcaraz still needs to “play better”.

Carlos Alcaraz "will need to play better in the second week” if he has designs on winning a maiden Australian Open title – that is according to Eurosport expert Tim Henman.

The Spanish world No. 2 progressed to the last 16 of the Australian Open after Shang Juncheng retired injured, and he will face Miomir Kecmanovic next.

Alcaraz was in near-total control for the entirety of the match, and it was little surprise when Shang retired as a thigh injury - which was strapped up throughout - increasingly impacted his mobility.

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However, Henman, in his role as an expert analyst for Eurosport, tempered expectations ahead of the last 16 at Melbourne Park.

“He wasn’t at his best in the first couple of rounds but to get this one comfortably, he’s ticked the box,” began Henman in the Eurosport Cube.

“He’s through the first week unscathed, hasn’t used too much energy and he will need to play better in the second week but I think he can.”

Mats Wilander, alongside Henman, suggested that match fitness – or a lack thereof – could be playing a factor as Alcaraz works his way into the tournament.

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“In a way, this is a good thing for him,” said Wilander. “He’s won a couple of matches, [but] didn’t play much coming in bar an exhibition with De Minaur, he’s not going to be as match fit.”

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Next up for Alcaraz is a match against Kecmanovic, who beat Tommy Paul in five sets.

The world No. 2 is on the other side of the draw to 10-time winner Novak Djokovic, and should both men make the final, it would represent a straight shootout for the world No. 1 spot too.

Alcaraz is backing himself to keep getting better.

“It feels special [to make the second week],” added Alcaraz.

“I came to the tournament wanting to improve on the result I had in 2022, and I did it. Now it is time to keep going and to play better and better.

“I think I’m improving every day, every match that I’m playing I’m feeling better and better, getting used to this court as well as I haven’t played so much on this court. Everything feels good, I’m taking good things from the level I’m playing.”

'It feels special' - Alcaraz in entertaining interview after third-round victory

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