Juncheng Shang vs Carlos Alcaraz Prediction & Betting Tips - ATP Australian Open

Prediction published on 18/01/2024, 15:20  by Steve Ashfield | Modified on 18/01/2024 at 16:21 in ATP Australian Open Predictions

Carlos Alcaraz can make it into round four of the Australian Open. The second seed takes on wild card Juncheng Shang with the winner taking on either 14th seed Tommy Paul or unseeded Miomir Kecmanovic. Alcaraz missed this Grand Slam last year due to injury and is only playing here for the third time. It's not been the most successful of tournaments for him and a win will take him into round four for the first time. Winning the title can see him regain the world number one spot as he has no points to defend from last year while Djokovic won the title. This is his first tournament of the year and so far he's beaten Richard Gasquet in straight sets (losing only three games in the last two) and Lorenzo Sonego in four sets, losing the second on a tie-break.

Juncheng Shang is in the main draw of a Grand Slam for only the third time. He's in unchartered territory as his previous best is a second round here last year. The 18-year-old was ranked a career-high 140th when this tournament began. A new career high has been set after his run to this third round. He's up to 139th but a shock win over Alcaraz can take him as high as 108th. He started the new year well with a run to the last four in Hong Kong and that included a win over Frances Tiafoe before losing to Andrey Rublev. In this tournament, he's come from 2-1 down to beat Mackenzie McDonald and came from a set down to get past qualifier Sumit Negal. We tip Alcaraz to win this in straight sets.