Carlos Alcaraz produced a masterclass in his 100th Grand Slam match, advancing smoothly into the fourth round with a commanding straight-sets triumph. Meanwhile, Aryna Sabalenka and Coco Gauff navigated far tougher roads to keep their campaigns alive, setting up intriguing clashes as the Melbourne Park draw begins to deepen.
Alcaraz Marks 100th Major Match in Style
At just 22 years old, world No. 1 Carlos Alcaraz shrugged off the milestone pressure and delivered a performance befitting one of the game’s brightest stars. Facing France’s creative shot-maker Corentin Moutet at Rod Laver Arena, Alcaraz showcased a dazzling array of offensive weapons en route to a 6-2, 6-4, 6-1 win that was as decisive as it was entertaining.
From the outset, Alcaraz’s intensity set the tone. He controlled rallies with blistering depth on his forehand, peppered the baseline with sharp angles, and left few openings for his opponent. In a match that featured everything from blistering winners to gravity-defying defensive retrievals, Alcaraz’s quality was on full display — reminding spectators why he is widely viewed as a future multi-major champion.
The victory not only moves Alcaraz into the last 16 at Melbourne Park but also underscores his remarkable record in the sport’s biggest events: he has now matched a 100-match Grand Slam record that places him alongside legends of the game in terms of early career success.
Sabalenka Survives Tiebreak Test, Gauff Fights Back
The day’s action on the women’s side was a tale of grit and persistence as much as power. Aryna Sabalenka, seeded at the top of the women’s draw, faced a stern examination from Anastasia Potapova. The Austrian-born competitor pushed Sabalenka hard, but the reigning major champion’s poise in the big moments proved decisive.
Sabalenka’s aptitude in pressure situations — especially tiebreaks — was again on display. She secured her win by capturing both sets in tiebreaks, a stretch that extended her remarkable unbeaten run in Grand Slam tiebreaks. The victory wasn’t easy, but it highlighted Sabalenka’s ability to stay mentally sharp even when her opponent lifted their level.
In another compelling women’s matchup, Coco Gauff found herself off to a slow start against Hailey Baptiste. Gauff dropped the first set before regrouping, tightening her game and using her physicality to swing the momentum. With a clinical second set and a confident third, she overcame her American compatriot 3-6, 6-0, 6-3 to move into the fourth round.
Emerging Stars and Upset Makers
Outside of the marquee names, the tournament continues to deliver compelling narratives. Teenagers Iva Jovic and Victoria Mboko both scored impressive wins, with Mboko’s run to the fourth round earning particular attention as a breakthrough moment in her young career. Jovic’s upset of a seeded player and Mboko’s gritty performance signal a generational shift stirring through the women’s draw.
On the men’s side, Daniil Medvedev staged a dramatic comeback from two sets down — emphasising the volatile excitement that has come to define many Australian Open matches — and booked his spot in the next round.
Milestones, Momentum and What’s Next
Alcaraz’s performance triggered conversations about his trajectory at Melbourne Park. The Spaniard has never reached beyond the quarterfinals here, and now, with his confidence high and his game sharp, he stands as one of the favorites to finally capture the one major that has eluded him. Should he continue his run, he could make history as the youngest man to complete a career Grand Slam, a feat only a handful of greats in tennis history have achieved.
For Sabalenka, the focus will be on maintaining her clutch play against increasingly tougher opposition, while Gauff’s resilience suggests she has the psychological edge to make a deep push. The rising performances of Mboko, Jovic and others only add to the intrigue as the majors unfold.
In a tournament already rich with drama and high-quality tennis, Friday’s action further reinforced the narrative that the Australian Open is both a proving ground for the established elite and a launchpad for the next generation of Grand Slam contenders.
