Carlos Alcaraz overcame an early Australian Open stutter to beat Germany’s Jannik Hanfmann 7-6 (7-4) 6-3 6-2 to move into the third round as he continues his bid for a career Grand Slam at Melbourne Park.
After a narrow first-round victory against Adam Walton, the 22-year-old Alcaraz was given more practice at the sun-drenched Rod Laver Arena by Hanfman but rose to the challenge.
Alcaraz stepped up to level after trailing 1-3, but squandered several chances to break Hanfmann’s huge serve again before storming into the tiebreak to wrap up a physically draining opening set in 78 minutes.
The six-time Grand Slam winner didn’t let the second set become another an arm wrestle, relying on his pace and accuracy to surge ahead and double his lead in the match.
Hanfman looked exhausted at the start of the third set after receiving medical attention during a break, and the more free-spirited Alcaraz showed no mercy as he sealed a double break and then broke the contest on serve.
Medvedev survived an early scare to reach the third round
Daniil Medvedev survived an early scare against Frenchman Quentin Hallis in the second round of the Australian Open on Wednesday but dug deep to record a 6-7 (9-11) 6-3 6-4 6-2 victory.
A three-time Melbourne Park finalist, Medvedev fought for more than an hour in the first set, only to lose after an intense tiebreak.
The Russian was also broken early in the second set by the world number 83, but recovered to level the match.
The 11th seed controlled the basic exchanges in the third set to convert an early break point and followed it up with an aggressive service game.
Daniil Medvedev is an in-form player who won the international warm-up in Brisbane
Medvedev then took advantage of Halis’ weak returns with fierce groundstrokes to secure the victory and advance to the third round.
“I feel I played a lot better in Brisbane,” said Medvedev, who won the Brisbane International. “I still can’t get used to the court here. I feel like I lack a little power in my shots.”
“But as you continue to win the tournament, you discover it step by step.
“It’s the first time in a few years that I’m in the third round of a Grand Slam, so I feel good.”
Medvedev, the 2021 US Open champion, will meet the Hungarian Fabian Marozsan in the third round.
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