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Carlos Alcaraz 'proud' to see 'hard work pay off' on key attribute of his game after Australian Open quarter-final masterclass against Alex de Minaur

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Carlos Alcaraz sent an ominous message to those remaining in the Australian Open men's draw with a sensational display to oust home favourite Alex de Minaur in straight sets and reach the semi-finals. De Minaur's lively start was quickly quelled by the world No. 1, who had that extra piece of quality to break the Australian seven times across the match, and continue his career Grand Slam charge.

Watch as Alcaraz wins incredible first set against De Minaur - 'You have to feel for Australian'

Video credit: TNT Sports

Carlos Alcaraz said he is happy to see his "hard work" on the mental side of his game paying off after putting on a masterclass in his straight-sets Australian Open quarter-final victory over Alex de Minaur.

Alcaraz's quality shone through to turn a competitive opening into something of a procession, beating De Minaur 7-5 6-2 6-1 on Rod Laver Arena - ending home hopes of an Australian man winning the Melbourne Slam for the first time since Mark Edmondson in 1976.

For a player whose rare criticisms have spawned from straying focus, Alcaraz was undeterred in his charge towards a maiden Australian Open semi-final. And in his post-match press conference, the top seed expressed his delight after seeing his efforts in that aspect of his game pay off.

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"I've been working on this, the concentration, the focus," Alcaraz said. "Not having up and downs in the matches has been one of my best or one of the main goals for me, which I'm just trying to put into work really every practice.

"If I have a practice two hours, two hours and a half, playing sets or playing against another player, I'm just trying to play the same level and have the same concentration, you know, point after point after point.

"I think the work is paying off and I'm just having a great mindset and a great concentration, you know, during the whole tournament, which I'm just really proud about, seeing all the hard work pay off."

Highlights: Alcaraz powers past De Minaur to reach semis

Video credit: TNT Sports

The opening set of Tuesday's quarter-final was high on quality, and living up to its huge billing, with both Alcaraz and De Minaur justifying their reputations as two of the fastest movers around the court - making for high-octane rallies and regular forays to the net.

Alcaraz - who crashed out to Novak Djokovic at this stage in Melbourne last year - took an early hold on proceedings, dispatching his first break point when - in the forecourt - he sent De Minaur the wrong way before cheekily floating a forehand to the open wing.

The world No. 1 held for 3-0, but it was only going to be a matter of time until De Minaur found his feet. He chalked up a hold and then put the opener back on serve, with Alcaraz showing his first signs of fallibility, knocking three unforced errors on his backhand.

Alcaraz let out a monstrous "vamos" after coming through a tight service game pushed to deuce, and looked on course to clinically take a set-love lead when breaking his opponent for 5-3.

'Very sporting' - Watch as Alcaraz protests De Minaur getting time violation from umpire

Video credit: TNT Sports

De Minaur, though, was good value for his quarter-final spot and pushed Alcaraz every inch. He broke back, avoiding set point, with his movement once again the forefront of his qualities, temporarily winning the forecourt battle and sealing the break with a crunching line forehand.

But Alcaraz and his top-two rival Jannik Sinner have developed an ominous reputation of just having that little bit extra over the rest of the men's draw.

The top seed showed exactly why he tops the pack with a timely break to avoid the first set going the distance, initially coughing up three break points but sealing the set following a taxing rally which covered just about every inch of blue on Melbourne's main show court.

Alcaraz, once again, threatened to run away with the second set, charging 3-0 ahead courtesy of his fourth break as De Minaur failed to build on his first ace of the match - forcing deuce, which eventually saw the home favourite drift wide off the net cord.

This time, Alcaraz would not surrender his advantage - despite facing break point on second serve, in which he turned defence into attack on a dime to secure a crucial hold.

He continued the relentless pressure to put the second set beyond any doubt, and take another huge step towards a semi-final against Alexander Zverev, by converting his second break-point opportunity to move into a two-set lead.

Highlights: Zverev battles past dangerous Tien to reach semi-finals

Video credit: TNT Sports

Growing increasingly forlorn, there looked little way back for the home hope, with the volume on Rod Laver Arena also dwindling, not helped as Alcaraz kick-started the third set with another immediate break.

The Spaniard staved off the threat of a break back, booming a shout of relief as he came through a tricky service game for a 3-0 lead, and De Minaur just could not find a way through the resistance of the world No. 1 with the air completely zapped out of the typically vocal home crowd.

Another break for 5-1 had Alcaraz serving for the match, and he did so clinically, continuing his charge towards a maiden Australian Open title, which would make him the youngest player to ever complete the career Grand Slam haul.

Alcaraz shows off racquet tricks after reaching semis

Video credit: TNT Sports

On facing Zverev next, Alcaraz said: "I've watched his matches through the tournament. You know, it was impressive the level he's been playing so far, so it's going to be a great battle. I know that he's serving pretty well. He's playing really solid and aggressive when he can in the rallies from the baseline.

"I will be ready, for sure. I'm excited about playing him here in AO in a semifinal. So I know what I have to do. I will be well-prepared for that match, and yeah, if he wants to beat me, he has to sweat a lot."

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