Carlos Alcaraz wows fans with ‘remarkable’ around-the-net shot at Australian Open – ‘That is incredible!’

Carlos Alcaraz produced a wonderful piece of athleticism and skill with an around-the-net shot against Lorenzo Sonego in the second round of the Australian Open.

The match was wonderfully poised at 3-3 and 30-0 on Sonego’s serve in the second set when Alcaraz flicked a pretty tame lob which his opponent flicked back cross-court for an apparent winner.

But this is Alcaraz, of course. He sprinted across to get to the ball – which was pretty remarkable in itself – before zipping a backhand down the line while at full stretch on the slide. It was a ridiculous level of athleticism and execution.

Sonego, who was very clearly taken aback by his opponent’s brilliance, only managed to get his racquet to the ball to turn it long in response as the crowd rose to applaud the rally – and in particular, Alcaraz’s effort.

Eurosport commentators Naomi Cavaday and Arvind Parmar did not hold back in expressing their astonishment at the effort from the Spaniard.

“Well, Alcaraz read his mind,” said Cavaday. “He was off and running way before Sonego even played the shot!”

Parmar added: “Well, these kinds of shots from Alcaraz, just his trademark there days.

“Around the net post here, how good is that?! That is incredible! On the slide, the control at full stretch there, it’s just remarkable!”

Despite losing that point, Sonego did superbly to regain his composure and hold serve before clinching a superb second set tie-break 7-3 to surprisingly level the match after losing the opener to the second seed.