High seed Carlos Alcaraz reached the third spherical of the Australian Open on Wednesday, defeating Yannick Hanfmann of Germany 7-6 (4), 6-3, 6-2.
“I knew (Hanfman) was going to play nice,” Alcaraz mentioned. “I knew his stage. I had performed in opposition to him just a few instances earlier than. However to be trustworthy, it was more durable than I anticipated.”
“The ball got here like a bomb, each forehand and backhand, so I needed to be prepared for that,” Alcaraz added.
Alcaraz, 22, is bidding to change into the youngest participant to finish a profession Grand Slam after successful his first title at Melbourne Park.
“I did not suppose I used to be taking part in that effectively, however after speaking to the group, I noticed I used to be taking part in higher than I believed,” Alcaraz mentioned. “I am nonetheless getting used to the circumstances and getting used to taking part in higher.”
World No. 3 Alexander Zverev, who misplaced to Jannik Sinner in final 12 months’s remaining, needed to wait via a 30-minute rain delay and worries about soreness in his left ankle to defeat Alexander Muller 6-3, 4-6, 6-3, 6-4.
Zverev led 2-1 within the fourth set and was serving at 15-0 when he needed to cease the match, sit in a courtside chair and search medical consideration.
“I took some painkillers and I used to be nice after that,” he mentioned. “It was somewhat scary as a result of it was heading in direction of my Achilles tendon. I simply wished my bodily therapist to test it out. After the medical timeout, I used to be transferring effectively and taking part in effectively.”
He was taking part in at John Cain Enviornment. The world is the third of Melbourne Park’s retractable roof arenas and requires solely a Floor Go ticket for entry. Due to this fact, even on days when a lot of individuals gathered, the place was full till late.
“The environment is extraordinary. The group is enthusiastic,” Zverev mentioned. “I like taking part in right here.”
103,720 followers attended, a mixed determine for the day and evening periods, setting a brand new all-day document for the third time in 4 days for the principle draw of a season-opening main event.
On the identical time, native prospect and sixth seed Alex de Minaur defeated Hamad Medjedovic 6-7(5), 6-2, 6-2, 6-1 at Rod Laver Enviornment.
“I weathered the storm. He was hitting a very large, deep ball,” mentioned de Minaur, who’s aiming to finish Australian males’s lengthy drought at residence Grand Slam tournaments. “I’m very completely happy to have the ability to combat my manner out.”
His subsequent opponent will probably be world No. 29 Francis Tiafoe, who defeated Francisco Cosana 6-4, 6-3, 4-6, 6-2.
In different males’s outcomes, 2021 US Open champion and No. 11 seed Daniil Medvedev defeated Quentin Harris 6-7(9), 6-3, 6-4, 6-2, No. 13 seed Andrei Rublev defeated Jaime Faria 6-4, 6-3, 4-6, 7-5 and No. 19 seed Tommy Paul defeated Thiago. Agustin Tirante 6-3, 6-4, 6-2.
No. 10 Alexander Bublik, No. 25 Lerner Tien and No. 26 Cameron Norrie superior together with No. 14 Alejandro Davidovich Fokina, who received the primary two units however then needed to battle to defeat the big-serving American Riley Opelka 6-3, 7-6 (3), 5-7, 4-6, 6-4.
The Related Press contributed to this report.
