As a wildcard entry he was given a great opportunity to show off his talent at this year’s Australian Open, and he has been quick to do just that.
I hope the tournament will continue for me. I’m not fixing any limits, and I will see what’s gonna happen. Arthur Cazaux
Arthur Cazaux ousted the 8th seed Holger Rune, one of the title contenders, in the second round defeating the Dane over four sets, and now has added Tallon Griekspoor, the 28th seed, to his growing tally of victims to reach the last 16.
He required just 108-minutes to dispatch the Dutchman 6-3 6-3 6-1 to become the first wildcard since Lleyton Hewitt to reach the second week in Melbourne.
While most people will see that as a major achievement, the 21-year-old Frenchman is taking it all in his stride.
“No, it sound great,” he replied when his achievement was pointed out to him. “Sound great, of course. But yeah, you know, I’m focused on the next. I hope the tournament will continue for me. I’m not fixing any limits, and I will see what’s gonna happen.”
He revealed he has always been confident in his ability.
“Yes, I know I could play this kind of level, but I never prove it, you know, in a real match,” he added. “So yeah, in me I was confident, but, you know, to prove it in the first round gave me more confident, and yes, now I know I can beat this kind of player during real match.
“And now, you know, I’m gonna repeat, but I was ready for everyone and even more ready now in my head and in my game.”
Next up for the youngster is Hubert Hurkacz, the 9th seed from Poland, who was tested by another Frenchman, Ugo Humbert before going through 3-6 6-1 7-6(4) 6-3.
Did he feel to be under any pressure?
“Not really, not really,” he answered. “No, because I work very hard in my head, in my mental, and like I said before, I’m ready to fight everyone. I’m ready to fight in every match.
“You know, I’m here to give everything on court. I can play sometimes bad; sometimes I play good. You know, it doesn’t matter. You know, the only thing important is to give everything on court. That’s my rules. Now I’m not feeling any pressure.”
And he has his eye on at least a quarter final place!
Carlos Alcaraz dominated his third round opponent
(Photo by Phil Walter/Getty Images)
Another player who could well be feeling the pressure of expectation is the second seeded Carlos Alcaraz who joined the Frenchman in the last 16 when his opponent, the 18-year-old Chinese Shang Juncheng retired injured early in the third set.
At the time the young Spaniard had dominated proceedings leading 6-1 6-1 1-0 when Shang threw win the towel thereby allowing Alcaraz to reach the fourth round of AO for the first time in his career where Miomir Kecmanovic awaits.
The Serbian progressed at the expense of American Tommy Paul whom he defeated 6-4 3-6 2-6 7-6(7) 6-0.
“I am feeling great. Probably a seven or eight out of ten. It’s a high note, but that’s how I feel. I think I am improving every day. Every match that I am playing. I am playing better and better. Moving, hitting the ball, and I am getting used to this court as well. I did not play so much on this court. I think everything is good. I am taking good things from the court, from the level that I am playing. Hopefully it’s going to be better and better”, said Alcaraz following his win.
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