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Carlos Alcaraz and Novak Djokovic are one match away from assembly in a blockbuster quarterfinal on the Australian Open. First they must get via Jack Draper and Jiri Lehecka, respectively, on Saturday.
(3) Carlos Alcaraz vs. (15) Jack Draper
Carlos Alcaraz drew the brief straw on this yr’s Australian Open bracket. He’s staring down the prospect of dealing with Novak Djokovic within the quarterfinals–and Djokovic is clearly by far essentially the most harmful participant not seeded 1-4. Alcaraz has already advised the press in Melbourne that if he wins the Australian Open, he shall be getting a kangaroo tattoo–however he nonetheless has 4 matches to go, and first up is Briton Jack Draper.
This must be Alcaraz’s match to lose. The third seed is a heavy favourite to advance, stepping nearer to the kangaroo tattoo he promised to get if he wins the match.
Cheryl choose: Alcaraz in 3
Ricky choose: Alcaraz in 3
(7) Novak Djokovic vs. (24) Jiri Lehecka
Ten-time Australian Open champion Novak Djokovic seems to be for all of the world like he means so as to add an eleventh crown to his trophy case. The Serb got here to Melbourne with a highly-publicized addition to his teaching employees–former rival Andy Murray. Djokovic seemed a tad rusty in his first two matches this week, dropping a set in every. He was practically flawless in his third-rounder in opposition to the proficient Czech participant Tomas Machac, a harmful signal for anybody else in his path.
That goes for fourth-round opponent Jiri Lehecka, who can be from Czechia. Lehecka is ranked No. 29 on the earth proper now and is one in all a handful of gamers already with a title in 2025. He received the tuneup occasion in Brisbane only a week in the past over American Reilly Opelka, who retired with a wrist harm. Lehecka loved a straightforward path to the spherical of 16, so he hasn’t performed anybody practically of Djokovic’s caliber.
Djokovic received their solely earlier match final yr on the United Cup. Anticipate a lot the identical final result on Sunday.
Cheryl choose: Djokovic in 4
Ricky choose: Djokovic in 4
