Top-ranked Carlos Alcaraz fended off a series of ‘bombs’ before advancing to the third round of the Australian Open on Wednesday, where he was joined by Aryna Sabalenka and a near-perfect Coco Gauff.
Three-time finalist Daniil Medvedev also remained alive, but it took him four sets to keep his Grand Slam dream on track in a cooler, overcast Melbourne Park after days of hot weather.
Spanish superstar Alcaraz came through a tough tussle 7-6 (7/4), 6-3, 6-2 on the Rod Laver Arena against hard-hitting German Yannick Hanfmann to take a step closer to a career Grand Slam.
But he was put to the test by a player 12 years his senior before facing either Frenchman Corentin Moutet or American Michael Zheng.
“To be honest, it was harder than I thought at first,” said Alcaraz, who already has six major titles but has never made it past the last eight in Melbourne.
“I didn’t feel the ball very well. You know, the ball was coming like a bomb, both forehand and backhand.”
If the 22-year-old wins the Australian Open to complete the career Grand Slam of all four majors, he will be the youngest man to do so, surpassing compatriot Rafael Nadal.
The unpredictable Medvedev, vice-champion in 2021, 2022 and 2024, is trying to control his emotions this year and showed his best behavior against the Frenchman Quentin Halys.
He lost a close first set but the result was never in doubt as he crossed the finish line 6-7 (9/11), 6-3, 6-4, 6-2.
“It was a very difficult match, I am happy that I managed to fight,” said the Russian, who will next face Hungarian Fabian Marozsan.
The American Tommy Paul, the Argentines Francisco Cerundolo and Tomas Etcheverry, the Spaniard Alejandro Davidovich Fokina and the Russian Andrey Rublev also negotiated the second round safely.
Alexander Zverev is in action in an evening match against France’s Alexandre Muller, the latest challenge in the German’s decade-long quest for a maiden Grand Slam title.
The world number three, runner-up last year behind Jannik Sinner, dropped a set in their opening clash but said it was good to be stretched at the start of the tournament.
“Almost perfect”
Four-time major winner Sabalenka raced to a 5-0 lead over 702nd-ranked qualifier Bai Zhuoxuan on center court before faltering to give the Chinese player a glimmer of hope.
But the top seed quickly snuffed it out to home 6-3, 6-1 and then set up a clash with Russia’s Anastasia Potapova, now representing Austria, who knocked out 2021 US Open champion Emma Raducanu.
“Super happy to close the (first) set, it gives me confidence that my game is there, my concentration is there,” said Sabalenka, who is aiming for a third Australian Open title in four years.
“Step by step. Super happy with my victory. There is always a little gap to improve.”
Sabalenka has only lost nine matches so far as she looks to redeem herself from her upset in last year’s final against Madison Keys.
Gauff, seeded third, was clinical against Serbian Olga Danilovic, who ended Venus Williams’ tournament in the first round.
It took just 78 minutes for the two-time major winner to cruise home 6-2, 6-2 at Margaret Court Arena.
He then set up a showdown against fellow American Hailey Baptiste, ranked 70th, who beat local prospect Storm Hunter in straight sets.
“Almost perfect,” said Gauff, whose best performance in Melbourne was a semi-final in 2024.
12th-seeded Ukrainian Elina Svitolina, Turkish hopeful Zeynep Sonmez and in-form Canadian teenager Victoria Mboko also won on day four, beating all their opponents in straight sets.
Home hopes dominate the evening’s action on Center Court with sixth seed Alex de Minaur taking on Serbian Hamad Medjedovic before Priscilla Hon meets American Iva Jovic.
