World No. 1 Carlos Alcaraz advanced to the third round of the Australian Open on Wednesday, January 21, defeating German veteran Yannick Hanfmann 7-6 (4), 6-3, 6-2 in two hours and 44 minutes. The 22-year-old Spaniard maintained his unbeaten streak in the tournament without dropping a set.

Alcaraz started slowly under warm conditions at Rod Laver Arena, trailing 3-1 in the first set. He recovered to take the tiebreak and then found his rhythm, producing a series of impressive shots throughout the match.

Alcaraz battles early pressure

Despite a shaky start, Alcaraz gradually took control, hitting 41 winners to overpower Hanfmann. He demonstrated versatility and poise, including a notable topspin forehand volley in the third set that drew approval from the crowd.

The win showed Alcaraz’s resilience against early pressure. He managed to stay focused despite a slow start and controlled the baseline rallies, proving why he is ranked World No. 1. His performance reinforced his position as one of the favorites for the tournament.

Next opponent and tournament outlook

Alcaraz will face 32nd seed Corentin Moutet or qualifier Michael Zheng in the third round. He enters the next match with confidence after overcoming a challenging first-round opponent in Hanfmann.

The Spaniard continues to chase the only Grand Slam title that has eluded him, having never progressed past the quarterfinals at Melbourne Park. His performance so far suggests he is adapting well to the conditions and remains a strong contender for a deep run.

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by Australian Open (@australianopen)