World No. 1 Carlos Alcaraz advanced to the third round of the Australian Open after a challenging second-round match against German qualifier Yannick Hanfmann. Alcaraz secured victory with a 7-6, 6-3, 6-2 scoreline, but the opening set proved to be the longest of his Grand Slam career, lasting 78 minutes.

The grueling first set saw Alcaraz win the intense tie-break 7-4. However, he struggled earlier in the set, dropping his second service game to Hanfmann and missing two break points in game 11. This was one of the best sets of Hanfmann's career, featuring 13 winners and a 66% first-serve win rate. Hanfmann also dominated Alcaraz at the net, winning 8 of 12 net points.

Alcaraz hits a forehand during his second-round match against Hanfmann at the Australian Open, on Rod Laver Arena, Melbourne, Australia on 22/1. Photo: Reuters

Despite a strong first set, Hanfmann could not maintain his form in the remaining two sets, likely due to his age. The 34-year-old player struggled with Alcaraz's increased pace, losing quickly 3-6, 2-6. A week before facing Alcaraz, Hanfmann got engaged in Melbourne, a city where he has competed for six consecutive years. Hanfmann failed to become the first player outside the top 100 to defeat Alcaraz in a Grand Slam.

Meanwhile, Alcaraz continued to demonstrate improved serving, hitting 11 aces in the match and maintaining a first and second serve win rate above 60%. After the longest opening set of his Grand Slam career, Alcaraz quickly asserted his dominance and controlled the match, converting four of nine break points. The Spanish player will face Corentin Moutet in the third round. Alcaraz needs two more wins to reach his best Australian Open performance, the quarterfinals, but he aims to complete his Grand Slam collection with a championship title.

"The first set was truly challenging, but I am happy to have overcome his test", Alcaraz said in a post-match interview. "There were moments I was very frustrated with myself. I didn't feel great today; sometimes I was haunted by negative thoughts. In this arena, you always have to maintain your state, otherwise you will pay a heavy price."

Alcaraz anticipates a difficult third-round match against Moutet, noting the French opponent's diverse game, which includes unpredictable drop shots, slices, attacks, lobs, and net approaches. "I cannot control how my opponent plays, but I can control how I prepare for the match", he stated.

If he reaches the fourth round, the top seed will play Tommy Paul or fellow Spaniard Alejandro Davidovick Fokina. A likely quarterfinal opponent is home favorite, sixth seed Alex de Minaur.

Vy Anh