The third round of the Australian Open is now in full swing thanks to top-ranked Carlos Alcaraz and Aryna Sabalenka.
Aryna Sabalenka and a nearly faultless Coco Gauff were the only players who could not stop Carlos Alcaraz from fending off a string of “bombs” before moving on to the Australian Open third round on Wednesday.
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Daniil Medvedev, a three-time champion, fought through four sets to keep his Grand Slam hopes on track in Melbourne Park, which was cooler and overcast all day.
Alcaraz, the Spanish superstar, defeated German Yannick Hanfmann of Spain 7-6 (7/4), 6-3, 6-2) in a close fight to earn a career Grand Slam.
Before setting up a showdown with either France’s Corentin Moutet or the American Michael Zheng, he was put through his paces by a player who was 12 years older.
Alcaraz, who has six major titles already but has never won more than the last eight in Melbourne, said, “To be honest, it was tougher than I thought at the beginning.”
“The ball didn’t feel that good,” I said. You’re aware that the ball was coming with both the forehand and backhand.
Rafael Nadal’s compatriot will become the youngest man to do so if the 22-year-old wins the Australian Open to complete the career Grand Slam of all four majors.
The unpredictably unpredictable Medvedev, who finished second in 2021, 2022, and 2024, is trying to control his emotions this year and showed his best form in a fight against Quentin Halys.
He lost a tight first set, but his performance never came under doubt as he crossed the finish line with a score of 6-7 (9/11), 6-3, 6-4, and 6-2.
The Russian, who will next face Hungary’s Fabian Marozsan, said, “It was a very tough match, happy I managed to fight.”
The second round was safely negotiated by Russian Andrey Rublev, American Tommy Paul, Argentine Francisco Cerundolo, and Tomas Etcheverry, as well as Spaniard Alejandro Davidovich Fokina and Russian Francisco Cerundolo.
Gauff and Sabalenka both in good form
Before giving the Chinese player a glimmer of hope, Sabalenka raced 5-0 clear of qualifier Bai Zhuoxuan, who is ranked a lowly 702, on center court.
However, the top seed was able to win the match with a score of 6-3, 6-1, and set up a meeting with Austria-born Anastasia Potapova, who defeated 2021 US Open champion Emma Raducanu.
Sabalenka, who is competing for a third Australian Open title in four years, said, “Super happy to close the (first) set.” It gives me confidence that my game and focus are on point.
“Step by step,” I’m delighted with my victory. There is always room for improvement.
Sabalenka is trying to make up for her upset loss to Madison Keys last year by dropping just nine games.
Third seed Gauff put an end to Venus Williams’ tournament against Serbian Olga Danilovic, who finished third overall.
On Margaret Court Arena, the two-time major champion won with a straight-6, 6-2 lead.
Next, Hailey Baptiste, a 70th-ranked American, will face off in a showdown with Storm Hunter, who defeated him in straight sets.
Gauff, whose best performance in Melbourne was a 2024 semifinal, called it “near perfect.”






