MELBOURNE: Top-ranked Carlos Alcaraz overcame a challenging test from Germany’s Yannick Hanfmann to reach the third round of the Australian Open on Wednesday, joining Aryna Sabalenka and a near-flawless Coco Gauff in the last 32.
Alcaraz, a three-time Grand Slam champion, battled past Hanfmann 7-6 (7/4), 6-3, 6-2 on Rod Laver Arena, fending off powerful groundstrokes that kept him on his toes. The 22-year-old Spaniard, who has yet to reach beyond the quarter-finals in Melbourne, will next face either France’s Corentin Moutet or American Michael Zheng.
“To be honest, it was tougher than I expected,” Alcaraz admitted. “The ball was coming at me like bombs on both forehand and backhand. I didn’t feel it cleanly at first.”
If Alcaraz goes on to win the title, he would complete a career Grand Slam and become the youngest man to do so, surpassing compatriot Rafael Nadal.
Meanwhile, Daniil Medvedev, a three-time Australian Open runner-up, advanced in four sets against France’s Quentin Halys, 6-7 (9/11), 6-3, 6-4, 6-2, after losing a tight first set. Medvedev will next face Hungary’s Fabian Marozsan. Other male players through to the third round include Tommy Paul, Francisco Cerundolo, Tomas Etcheverry, Alejandro Davidovich Fokina, and Andrey Rublev, while Alexander Zverev is set to play France’s Alexandre Muller later in the evening.
On the women’s side, four-time Grand Slam champion Aryna Sabalenka cruised past qualifier Bai Zhuoxuan 6-3, 6-1. The top seed will face Russian-born Anastasia Potapova, now representing Austria, who eliminated 2021 US Open champion Emma Raducanu. “Step by step, super happy with my win,” said Sabalenka, who has dropped just nine games so far.
Third-seeded Coco Gauff was clinical against Serbia’s Olga Danilovic, winning 6-2, 6-2 in just 78 minutes. Gauff will meet fellow American Hailey Baptiste in the next round. “Near perfect,” said Gauff, whose best Melbourne performance came with a semi-final appearance in 2024.
Other winners on day four included Ukrainian 12th seed Elina Svitolina, Turkish prospect Zeynep Sonmez, and Canadian teenager Victoria Mboko, all advancing in straight sets. Evening action on centre court will feature home hope Alex de Minaur against Serbia’s Hamad Medjedovic, followed by Priscilla Hon facing American Iva Jovic.
