Alcaraz cruises, but Sabalenka and Gauff tested

Carlos Alcaraz stepped up his quest to win a maiden Australian Open as he overwhelmed showman Corentin Moutet yesterday to reach the last 16 while Aryna Sabalenka said she was “emotionally all over the place” in victory.

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Coco Gauff hits a return during her match against Hailey Baptiste.

(REUTERS)

Three-time finalist Daniil Medvedev battled through on day six at a warm and sunny Melbourne Park, as did Coco Gauff.

Top seed Alcaraz was never in danger against French 32nd seed Moutet, easing through 6-2, 6-4, 6-1 at Rod Laver Arena in 2hr 5min.

It was the Spaniard’s 100th Grand Slam match and he boasts a remarkable 87-13 win-loss record, matching the legendary Bjorn Borg at the same stage of his career.

Victory thrust Alcaraz into a clash for a place in the quarterfinals with American 19th seed Tommy Paul, who progressed when Spain’s Alejandro Davidovich Fokina retired with an apparent knee injury when two sets down.

“It wasn't easy. To be honest, when you play someone like Corentin you don’t know what's going to be next,” said the 22-year-old Alcaraz, who is attempting to clinch the one major missing from his collection.