MELBOURNE: Spanish sensation Carlos Alcaraz delivered a masterclass performance on Friday, overpowering French showman Corentin Moutet to advance to the fourth round of the Australian Open. Meanwhile, women's top seed Aryna Sabalenka admitted to being "emotionally all over the place" during her hard-fought victory, highlighting a day of intense action at Melbourne Park.
Alcaraz's Commanding Display
The world number one and top seed, Alcaraz, was in scintillating form as he dismantled the 32nd-seeded Moutet with a dominant 6-2, 6-4, 6-1 win at Rod Laver Arena. The match, lasting just over two hours, showcased Alcaraz's relentless aggression and precision, leaving his opponent with few answers.
This victory marked a significant milestone for the 22-year-old Spaniard—it was his 100th Grand Slam match. Impressively, Alcaraz now boasts a remarkable 87-13 win-loss record at majors, a statistic that matches the legendary Bjorn Borg at the same stage of his illustrious career.
"It wasn't easy. To be honest, when you play someone like Corentin you don't know what's going to be next," Alcaraz remarked after the match. "But I had fun on the court. I think we both pulled off great shots, great points." With this win, Alcaraz sets up a tantalizing fourth-round clash against American 19th seed Tommy Paul, who advanced after Spain's Alejandro Davidovich Fokina retired due to a knee injury.
Sabalenka's Gritty Triumph
On the women's side, defending champion Aryna Sabalenka faced a stern test against unseeded Anastasia Potapova. The Belarusian, aiming for her third Australian Open title in four years, endured a nervy battle before prevailing 7-6 (7/4), 7-6 (9/7) in just over two hours.
Sabalenka, a four-time Grand Slam champion, revealed the emotional toll of the match. "I was always on the back foot, one of those days you have to fight to try and get the ball back," she said. "Emotionally I was all over the place. It was such a fight and I really enjoyed it." Her next challenge comes in the form of Canadian teenager Victoria Mboko, who defeated Clara Tauson in a three-set thriller.
Medvedev's Epic Comeback
In another highlight, third seed Daniil Medvedev showcased his resilience by staging a dramatic comeback against Hungary's Fabian Marozsan. After dropping the first two sets, the Russian fought back to win 6-7 (5/7), 4-6, 7-5, 6-0, 6-3 in a marathon encounter lasting three hours and 43 minutes.
This marks the fifth time in Medvedev's career that he has overturned a two-set deficit to secure victory. The 2021 US Open champion, who endured a disappointing run at majors last year, now faces a revenge mission against American 25th seed Learner Tien in the last 16—a rematch of their epic five-set battle from last year's tournament.
Other Key Matches to Watch
The action continues with several intriguing matchups on the horizon. American star Coco Gauff, who has been in impressive form, takes on compatriot Hailey Baptiste. Gauff, a US Open and French Open champion, is seeking to improve her best Melbourne performance of a semi-final finish.
Elsewhere, fast-rising Russian eighth seed Mirra Andreeva meets Romania's Elena-Gabriela Ruse, while Italian seventh seed Jasmine Paolini faces dangerous American teenager Iva Jovic. With the tournament heating up, fans can expect more thrilling contests as players vie for a spot in the quarter-finals.
As the Australian Open progresses, the narratives of redemption, youth, and experience continue to unfold, promising an exciting climax to the first Grand Slam of the year.
