Alcaraz, great beneficiary of the first big bomb of the Australian Open

The Australian Open took five days to experience its first big surprise. After the hardships endured by Alexander Zverev and Casper Ruud, and the scares by Novak Djokovic, Carlos Alcaraz and Stefanos Tsitsipas, finally Holger Rune was the first top 10 to bid farewell to the tournament.

The Dane was overtaken by Frenchman Arthur Cazaux, 21 years old and number 122 in the worldwho took the victory 7-6(4), 6-4, 4-6, 6-3 after a tight match of more than three hours in which he showed the irregularity and lack of concentration characteristic of the young promise of the world tennis

After an equal beginning in which both maintained their service with authority, the first set was decided on a tiebreakwith the Frenchman opening the gap in the first points to take the tiebreaker 7-4.

The second round was decided in the first gamewhen Cazaux achieved a break that he managed to maintain until the end (6-4) against a powerless Rune that could not impose its superiority.

The third set ended with the same score, but in favor of Rune and with a completely opposite development in the second, as the Dane was resolved in the tenth game with a providential break that put him back in the match.

However, this is just a mirage. Rune was unable to maintain concentration and found himself with a break in the first gamea setback he was unable to overcome despite the many opportunities for rest available to him.

Tough defeat for one of the contenders, who still doesn’t measure up to the Grand Slams. For his part, Cazaux signed the best result of his career and will look for his place in the round of 16, on Saturday, against Dutch Tallon Griekspoor.