Alcaraz leads big names into third round

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 a near-flawless Coco Gauff.

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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.

Spanish superstar Alcaraz came through 7-6 (7/4), 6-3, 6-2 on Rod Laver Arena against hard-hitting German Yannick Hanfmann to take another step towards a career Grand Slam.

But the 22-year-old was put through his paces by a player 12 years older before setting up a showdown with France’s Corentin Moutet.

“To be honest, it was tougher than I thought at the beginning,” said Alcaraz, who already has six major titles but has never gone past the last eight in Melbourne.

“I didn’t feel the ball that good. You know, the ball was coming as a bomb, forehand and backhand.”

If Alcaraz does win the Australian Open to complete the career Grand Slam of all four majors, he would be the youngest man to do so, surpassing compatriot Rafael Nadal, who was 24 when he achieved that feat.