Simon Dalton presents his prediction for the Australian Open match.
For Borges, this is a unique opportunity to showcase his skills against one of the world's best tennis players. However, a victory in this match seems unlikely given the level of the opponent. Alcaraz, on the other hand, continues his pursuit of the title, demonstrating phenomenal form as he breezes past earlier rounds. This encounter represents another step for Carlos on his journey to claiming yet another Grand Slam.
Nuno Borges
Borges, ranked 33rd in the ATP rankings, reached the third round after defeating Thompson (6:3, 6:2, 6:4). It is worth noting, however, that Borges committed 26 unforced errors in that match, which could prove critical against a top-tier opponent like Alcaraz. Furthermore, in matches against top-10 players, he has always faltered—failing to win a single match in 10 attempts and managing to win only one set. Against Spanish players, the Portuguese has secured only three wins in seven encounters.
Carlos Alcaraz
Alcaraz, currently ranked third in the ATP rankings, had an outstanding previous season, capturing titles at Roland Garros and Wimbledon, as well as tournaments in Beijing and Indian Wells. Recently, he encountered no difficulties in dispatching Alexander Shevchenko (6:1, 7:5, 6:2) and Yoshihito Nishioka (6:0, 6:1, 6:4). In these matches, Alcaraz dominated all aspects of the game, offering no break-point opportunities and dropping no sets. Additionally, the Spaniard has never exited a Grand Slam in the third round, triumphing on six occasions.
Nuno Borges vs Carlos Alcaraz Prediction
Considering Alcaraz's level of play and Borges's inconsistency, the chances of an upset are exceedingly low. The Spaniard appears incredibly confident and continues to display top-tier tennis. While the Portuguese may fight in individual rallies, he is unlikely to withstand Alcaraz's attacking style.
