Carlos Alcaraz battled past Tommy Paul on Sunday to advance at the Australian Open.
The world number one was made to work hard by Paul, who recorded an impressive run in Australia after suffering an injury-hit 2025 season.
However, Alcaraz proved too strong for the American, eventually winning the contest 7-6, 6-4, 7-5.
Alcaraz, who is chasing the ‘Career Grand Slam,’ will face Alex de Minaur in the next round after the Australian star defeated Alexander Bublik.
By reaching the quarter-finals in Melbourne, Alcaraz has now usurped Bjorn Borg.
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Carlos Alcaraz surpasses Bjorn Borg and Boris Becker
Carlos Alcaraz has now reached 14 Grand Slam quarter-finals before the age of 23, bettering the record previously held by Bjorn Borg and Boris Becker.
Between 1973 and June 6, 1979 [Borg’s 23rd birthday], Borg reached 13 Grand Slam quarter-finals, winning the title on seven occasions.
Boris Becker, the youngest Wimbledon Men’s Singles champion in tennis history, also reached 13 Grand Slam quarter-finals before his 23rd birthday on November 22, 1990.
Becker won four Grand Slam titles before the age of 23. Remarkably, the German star won two more major titles throughout the rest of his career.
Carlos Alcaraz has now surpassed Borg and Becker in this area after reaching his 14th Grand Slam quarter-final in Melbourne.
The Spaniard will hope to improve upon his quarter-final appearance at last year’s event. Alcaraz was defeated by Novak Djokovic in the last-eight match.
Who could Carlos Alcaraz play in the semi-finals?
If Alcaraz defeats de Minaur later this week, he will face Learner Tien or Alexander Zverev in the Australian Open semi-finals.
Tien, who won his first ATP Tour title in 2025, defeated Daniil Medvedev in the fourth round and looks to be a dark horse for the title.
Alcaraz and Tien have never played each other before on the ATP Tour.
Who do you think will retire with more Grand Slam titles?
As for Zverev, the 2025 Australian Open finalist defeated Francisco Cerundolo in straight sets to advance on Sunday.
Alcaraz has a 6-6 record against Zverev. The Spaniard won their last match in the 2025 Cincinnati Masters semi-finals: 6-4, 6-3.
