Alcaraz spearheads big names into Australian Open third round

Sabalenka anda near-flawless Gauff also advance

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Top-ranked Carlos Alcaraz fended off a series of “bombs” before surging into the Australian Open third round yesterday, where he was joined by Aryna Sabalenka and anear-flawless Coco Gauff.

Three-time finalist Daniil Medvedev needed four sets to keep his Grand Slam dream on track at a cooler Melbourne Park after days of hot weather. Alexander Zverev, the third seed well beaten in last year’s final by Jannik Sinner, also went through in four sets.