The Australian Open witnessed a mix of grit and glamour on Friday as top seeds navigated contrasting paths into the fourth round. While Aryna Sabalenka and Coco Gauff endured rocky battles, Carlos Alcaraz showcased his dominance in a milestone Grand Slam appearance, highlighting the tournament's blend of experience and youthful exuberance.
Alcaraz's Flawless Performance in Milestone Match
Carlos Alcaraz celebrated his 100th Grand Slam match with a masterclass, dismantling French opponent Corentin Moutet 6-2, 6-4, 6-1. The 22-year-old Spaniard, aiming to become the youngest man to win all four majors, displayed unstoppable form, including a spectacular rally at Rod Laver Arena that involved a tweener and a precise passing shot. Alcaraz joked about Moutet's persistent drop shots, calling it a "drop-shot competition," but his unbeaten run against left-handers now stands at 14 victories.
Sabalenka's Tiebreak Mastery Tested
Defending champion Aryna Sabalenka faced a stern test against Anastasia Potapova, winning 7-6(4), 7-6(7) in a match filled with tension. Potapova, representing Austria, held four set points in the second set but faltered, allowing Sabalenka to extend her incredible unbeaten tiebreak record to 21. Sabalenka emphasized the importance of focus in tiebreaks, stating, "You have to be there 100%. That's my approach."
Gauff's Comeback and Young Stars Shine
Coco Gauff recovered from losing her first set of the tournament to defeat Hailey Baptiste 3-6, 6-0, 6-3. Meanwhile, young talents made waves: 18-year-old Iva Jovic upset seventh seed Jasmine Paolini, and 19-year-old Victoria Mboko beat 14th seed Clara Tauson, setting up a last-16 clash with Sabalenka. Mboko's victory in her Australian Open main draw debut underscores the rise of new faces in women's tennis.
Other Notable Matches and Upsets
Daniil Medvedev staged a remarkable comeback from two sets down to beat Fabian Marozsan, becoming the first player to do so at this tournament. He now seeks revenge against Learner Tien in the next round. In a dramatic upset, Yulia Putintseva ended Zeynep Sonmez's run, taunting rowdy Turkish fans after her win. Tommy Paul advanced easily due to an injury retirement, but faces the daunting task of playing Alcaraz next.
As the tournament progresses, matches like Alex de Minaur versus Frances Tiafoe and Alex Zverev against Cameron Norrie promise more excitement, keeping fans on the edge of their seats.
