Alcaraz shines in 100th Grand Slam match as Sabalenka and Gauff stutter

Carlos Alcaraz’s path to gold in his 100th Grand Slam match was rocky for Aryna Sabalenka and Coco Gauff, who both struggled through the fourth round of the Australian Open on Friday.

The TikTok generation had their moment in Melbourne Park the day after Stan Wawrinka, 40, led a parade of yesterday’s heroes through the third round.

Iva Jovic, 18, defeated seventh seed Jasmine Paolini, 6-2, 7-6 (3), while Canadian 19-year-old Victoria Mboko defeated 14th seed Clara Tauson to book a last-16 blockbuster against twice-champion Sabalenka, a 7-6 (4), 7-6 (7) winner over Anastasia Potapova.

Alcaraz defeated French drop-shot merchant Corentin Moutet in a highlight-reel 6-2, 6-4, and 6-1 victory before 21-year-old Gauff recovered from her first set defeat to defeat fellow American Hailey Baptiste, 3-6, 6-0, 6-3.

Alcaraz, 22, who is aiming to win his first major at Melbourne Park, has vowed to become the youngest player to do so and has unstoppable behavior in his first week.

He defeated the flamboyant Moutet in the second match at Rod Laver Arena by chasing down a lob with a tweener before securing a passing shot down the line.

Moutet, the 32nd seed, is no slouch, but he was made the fall guy in Alcaraz’s “magic show,” taking on the spaniard for the 14th time in their unbeaten series of left-handers.

Alcaraz joked that chasing down Moutet’s drop shots became difficult despite the win’s ease.

He said, “I thought we were in a drop-shot competition, but undoubtedly he won.”

The Russian-born world number 55 Potapova, who distinguished herself on center court against her adopted country Austria, is the favorite to win the women’s title, but she had a tough time at Rod Laver Arena.

Sabalenka won the match point award while Potapova lost four of her remaining set points in the second frame.

She won 19 tiebreaks in succession last season, which makes her incredible unbeaten record to 21.

Every ball is crucial in the tiebreak, I am aware. Because it disappears, like, really quickly, you can’t lose your mind for even a second, Sabalenka told reporters.

You must be there to the fullest, therefore. That’s how I go about doing that. I simply continue to take it.”

Daniil Medvedev, a three-time men’s champion, once more gained confidence following a tense victory.

In the opening match at Margaret Court Arena, he defeated Hungary’s Fabian Marozsan, winning 6-7 (5) 4-6 7-5 6-0 6-3. He became the first player to win from two sets in this competition.

After being defeated by the young American in the second round last year, Medvedev will seek revenge on his mind when he faces Learner Tien for a spot in the quarterfinals.

In her Australian Open main draw debut, Mboko, one of the brightest young women’s tennis players, defeated Tauson 7-5, 75-7, 6-3, to reach the fourth round.

However, Zeynep Sonmez’s run was ended by wily Kazakh Yulia Putintseva at Melbourne Park in a three-setter victory.

World number 112 Sonmez was supported by Melbourne’s vibrant Turkish community, who decorated Kia Arena with red flags and gave them a gleeful taunt after winning, giving them kisses and dancing near her seat.

What are my options? She claimed to reporters and accused rowdy Sonmez fans of trying to put her off her serve, noting that some people do have tennis education, while others do not.

When Spain’s Alejandro Davidovich Fokina retired injured after trailing 6-1 6-1, Tommy Paul, the 19th seed, faced the brick wall of Alcaraz, which was a smooth transition into the fourth round.

Karolina Muchova, the 19th seed, defeated Magda Linette 6-1 6-1 to advance to the last-16 with a victory over Gauff.

In the evening match at Rod Laver Arena, third seed Alex Zverev takes on British danger man Cameron Norrie, sixth seed, and sixth seed Alex de Minaur, the sixth seed, in the prime of the evening at John Cain Arena.