Matteo Berrettini prevails against Carlos Alcaraz in five-set tussle at Australian Open

Seventh seed Matteo Berrettini has had to rely on his vast experience to defeat outstanding Spanish teenager Carlos Alcaraz in a five-set thriller at the Australian Open.

Berrettini seemed headed for victory when he led two sets to love, but 18-year-old Alcaraz showed why he is regarded as one of the brightest prospects in men's tennis by fighting back to force a deciding set.

In a moment of high drama, Italy's Berrettini twisted his ankle in the second game of the final set and required medical attention.

But he recovered and eventually won 6-2, 7-6 (7-3), 4-6, 2-6, 7-6 (10-5) in a match lasting 4 hours and 10 minutes on Rod Laver Arena.

Meanwhile, 14th seed Denis Shapovalov sealed a 7-6 (7-4), 4-6, 6-3, 6-4 victory over Reilly Opelka to make the fourth round at Melbourne Park for the first time in his career.

Earlier, 2016 quarter-finalist Gael Monfils moved past 16th seed Cristian Garin 7-6 (7-4), 6-1, 6-3, while Miomir Kecmanovic also advanced with a 6-4, 6-7 (8-10), 6-2, 7-5 win over Lorenzo Sonego.

More to come.