Perhaps the most striking indicator of how much of a prodigy Carlos Alcaraz is: When he faces 2005-born Shang Juncheng on Saturday, it will be the first time an opponent is younger than him since juniors; that had never happened in 293 professional matches across all levels. 🤯
SCHEDULE and PREVIEW | 2024 Australian Open Day Seven including ALCARAZ, SWIATEK, ZVEREV and trio of Chinese stars
Tennis NewsFriday, 19 January 2024 at 23:34
Day Seven is here as the first week of action at the 2024 Australian Open heads towards its conclusion and the fourth round line-up is completed with a trio of Chinese stars on Rod Laver Arena alongside Carlos Alcaraz, Iga Swiatek and Alexander Zverev.
Ahead of Saturday's action, our preview takes a look at the Order of Play now the schedule is confirmed with the main talking points from both ATP and WTA draws explored in depth.
Chinese stars take centre stage
In perhaps an interesting move and one that actually can be welcomed, three of the players in action on Saturday are from China including one who will play Carlos Alcaraz. The Spaniard who has been at his skilful best so far albeit perhaps not his tennis best will face the 2005 born Juncheng Shang who continues his rise with what will likely be a terrific battle with the Wimbledon champion.
But it all begins with Queenwen as Qinwen Zheng faces off against Wang Yafan. It could've been a double Brit battle instead with Emma Raducanu losing to the latter and Boulter losing to the leading light and a player firmly on the rise continuously in Zheng. But in the Day Session at least, the eyes of the tennis world will be on the Far East with at least one winner and Juncheng or Jerry as he is known will look to topple one of the best in the world.
Swiatek continues charge as Zverev move criticised
Iga Swiatek as expected will be on Rod Laver Arena as the top women's player and also given the absence now of Elena Rybakina and Jessica Pegula from this section of the draw. She didn't look at her sparkling best against Danielle Collins and nearly went out to the retiring American. But this could be seen as a bit of anomaly given how well she plays in Australia in the case of Collins.
She next faces Linda Noskova who made her first strides in Australia last year and did so again in Brisbane only losing to the imperious champion who in reality didn't use the title to best effect in Elena Rybakina. Another rising star looking to upset the apple cart. The same can be said for rising 19-year-old American, Alex Michelsen who took down Jiri Lehecka and given the trouble that Alexander Zverev had against Lukas Klein, it could be another long night and could gleam a shock win for the American. But given the recent reporting of Zverev's upcoming abuse trial, it can be seen a strange move to put him on Rod Laver Arena and one that has been openly criticised on social media.
Some have seen it puzzling that he has taken centre stage over for instance Ostapenko facing Azarenka or even Felix Auger-Aliassime v Daniil Medvedev due to what is currently going on and the displeasure shown by fans about the handling of the situation. But he will continue to aim to let his racquet do the talking. Elina Svitolina, Grigor Dimitrov, Casper Ruud facing Cameron Norrie and shock makers Clara Burel and Anna Blinkova are also in action elsewhere as Day Seven is set. So lock in, it's time for action.
Order of Play Schedule 2024 Australian Open Day Seven
ROD LAVER ARENA
12-Zheng Qinwen (China) v Wang Yafan (China)
Shang Juncheng (China) v 2-Carlos Alcaraz (Spain)
Night session
1-Iga Swiatek (Poland) v Linda Noskova (Czech Republic)
6-Alexander Zverev (Germany) v Alex Michelsen (U.S.)
MARGARET COURT ARENA
14-Tommy Paul (U.S.) v Miomir Kecmanovic (Serbia)
11-Jelena Ostapenko (Latvia) v 18-Victoria Azarenka (Belarus)
Night session
27-Felix Auger-Aliassime (Canada) v 3-Daniil Medvedev (Russia)
19-Elina Svitolina (Ukraine) v Viktorija Golubic (Switzerland)
JOHN CAIN ARENA
27-Emma Navarro (U.S.) v Dayana Yastremska (Ukraine)
21-Ugo Humbert (France) v 9-Hubert Hurkacz (Poland)
19-Cameron Norrie (United Kingdom) v 11-Casper Ruud (Norway)
KIA ARENA
Anna Kalinskaya (Russia) v Sloane Stephens (USA)
Anna Blinkova (Russia) v (26) Jasmine Paolini (Italy)
(13) Grigor Dimitrov (Bulgaria) v Nuno Borges (Portugal)
COURT 3
Oceane Dodin (France) v Clara Burel (France)
Arthur Cazaux (France) v (28) Tallon Griekspoor (Netherlands)
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