World primary Carlos Alcaraz hits a return throughout his win over Germany’s Yannick Hanfmann. Photograph: AFP
MELBOURNE:
High-ranked Carlos Alcaraz fended off a sequence of “bombs” earlier than surging into the Australian Open third spherical on Wednesday, the place he was joined by Aryna Sabalenka and a near-flawless Coco Gauff.
Three-time finalist Daniil Medvedev additionally stayed alive, however he wanted 4 units to maintain his Grand Slam dream on observe at a cooler and overcast Melbourne Park after days of sizzling climate.
Spanish celebrity Alcaraz got here by means of a tricky arm-wrestle 7-6 (7/4), 6-3, 6-2 on Rod Laver Enviornment in opposition to hard-hitting German Yannick Hanfmann to take one other step in direction of a profession Grand Slam.
However he was put by means of his paces by a participant 12 years older earlier than establishing a showdown with both France’s Corentin Moutet or American Michael Zheng.
“To be sincere, it was more durable than I assumed at the start,” stated Alcaraz, who already has six main titles however has by no means gone previous the final eight in Melbourne.
“I did not really feel the ball that good. , the ball was coming as a bomb, forehand and backhand.”
If the 22-year-old does win the Australia Open to finish the profession Grand Slam of all 4 majors he would be the youngest man to take action, surpassing compatriot Rafael Nadal.
The unpredictable Medvedev, runner-up in 2021, 2022 and 2024, is attempting to maintain his feelings in test this 12 months and was on his greatest behaviour in opposition to Frenchman Quentin Halys.
He misplaced a good first set however the outcome was by no means unsure as he surged to the end line 6-7 (9/11), 6-3, 6-4, 6-2.
“It was a really robust match, pleased I managed to combat,” stated the Russian, who faces Fabian Marozsan of Hungary subsequent.
American Tommy Paul, Argentina’s Francisco Cerundolo and Tomas Etcheverry, Spaniard Alejandro Davidovich Fokina and Russian Andrey Rublev additionally safely negotiated the second spherical.
Alexander Zverev is in motion in a night match in opposition to France’s Alexandre Muller, the newest problem within the German’s decade-long quest for a primary Grand Slam title.
The world quantity three, runner-up final 12 months to Jannik Sinner, dropped a set in his opening conflict however stated it was good to be stretched early within the match.
‘Close to good’
4-time main winner Sabalenka raced 5-0 away from qualifier Bai Zhuoxuan, ranked a lowly 702, on centre courtroom earlier than wobbling to present the Chinese language participant a glimmer of hope.
However the prime seed shortly snuffed it out to race house 6-3, 6-1 and arrange a conflict subsequent with Russian-born Anastasia Potapova, now representing Austria, who dispatched 2021 US Open champion Emma Raducanu.
“Tremendous-happy to shut the (first) set, it provides me confidence that my sport is there, my focus is there,” stated Sabalenka, who’s bidding for a 3rd Australian Open title in 4 years.
“Step-by-step. Tremendous-happy with my win. There may be all the time somewhat hole to enhance.”
Sabalenka has dropped simply 9 video games as far as she seems to be to make amends for her upset in final 12 months’s ultimate to Madison Keys.
Third seed Gauff was scientific in opposition to Serbia’s Olga Danilovic, who ended Venus Williams’ match in spherical one.
The 2-time main winner took simply 78 minutes to race house 6-2, 6-2 on Margaret Court docket Enviornment.
It arrange a showdown subsequent in opposition to fellow American Hailey Baptiste, ranked 70, who downed house hope Storm Hunter in straight units.
“Close to good,” stated Gauff, whose greatest efficiency in Melbourne was a semi-final in 2024.
Ukrainian twelfth seed Elina Svitolina, Turkish prospect Zeynep Sonmez and in-form Canadian teenager Victoria Mboko additionally received on day 4, all sweeping previous their opponents in straight units.
Dwelling hopes dominate the night motion on centre courtroom with sixth seed Alex de Minaur going through Serbia’s Hamad Medjedovic earlier than Priscilla Hon meets American Iva Jovic.
