The pair loomed as the two biggest winners when Novak Djokovic’s dramatic deportation blew their quarter of the draw wide open.
Suddenly, a semi-final berth was there for the taking, but only one of them can keep their chances alive on Rod Laver Arena on Friday.
Alcaraz is primed to stake his claim, having attracted the attention of two-time women’s champion Naomi Osaka, who wants to trade her forehand for his.
The 18-year-old will garner plenty more admirers if he can knock off Berrettini and fancies his chances against the Wimbledon runner-up, who he beat over a tight three sets in Vienna last October.
“I know the way that Matteo is playing,” the youngest player in the men’s draw said.
“I know him; I know that it’s gonna be a really good and tough match against him.
“I mean, I think I grew up since that match [in Vienna].
“All I can say is I’m gonna have fun, I’m gonna play my match, and let’s see what happens in that match.”
Alcaraz is acutely aware that Berrettini’s serve poses a huge threat.
The 25-year-old Italian has had 57 per cent of first serves go unreturned at the Open this year - ranked fifth for the tournament - and has won 95 per cent of his service games.
“It’s tough to read his serve, to read where he’s gonna serve,” Alcaraz said.
“I mean, he’s one of the best servers of the tour.
“[It] is tough to return his serve, but I have to be focused on that.”
Alcaraz and Berrettini will round out Friday’s day session on Rod Laver Arena before local favourite Ash Barty locks horns with Camila Giorgi.
Two-time women’s champion Victoria Azarenka takes on 15th seed Elina Svitolina, while fourth seed Barbora Krejcikova meets Jelena Ostapenko (26th).
Men’s sixth seed Nadal takes on Russian Karen Kachanov as he plots a path towards a record-breaking 21st grand slam title, which could include a semi-final against Alcaraz or Berrettini.
- AAP
