Melbourne, Jan 22: The 2026 Australian Open continued to deliver high drama on and off the courts on Wednesday, with a mix of rising stars and established champions advancing through the early rounds at Melbourne Park.
World No. 1 Carlos Alcaraz powered into the third round after a hard‑fought straight‑sets victory over Germany’s Yannick Hanfmann, winning 7‑6(4), 6‑3, 6‑2 on Rod Laver Arena. The Spaniard, chasing the youngest career Grand Slam in the men’s game, showed grit and improving form as he continues his quest for a maiden Australian Open crown. He is now set to face either France’s Corentin Moutet or American Michael Zheng in the next round.
Off the court, Alcaraz also had time for a round of golf in Melbourne with tennis great Roger Federer, and he was full of praise for the Swiss legend’s swing, saying it was “as beautiful as his tennis.” The light‑hearted exchange offered a rare glimpse into the camaraderie between current stars and past icons of the sport.
Meanwhile, in the women’s draw, 18‑year‑old Mirra Andreeva continued her impressive run by dismantling former top‑ranked Maria Sakkari 6‑0, 6‑4, earning a place in the next round and solidifying her reputation as one of the brightest young talents on the WTA Tour. Andreeva has already compiled more than 30 Grand Slam wins before turning 19, a feat achieved by only a handful of elite players.
Other notable performances included dominant showings from Aryna Sabalenka and Coco Gauff, both advancing comfortably into round three, while Emma Raducanu exited the tournament after a second‑round defeat.
The Open has also seen weather interruptions, with rain briefly halting play on some outdoor courts, but matches under cover continued unabated, and players adapted quickly to the shifting conditions.
As the tournament progresses, attention will remain firmly on Alcaraz’s push for historic success and on young contenders like Andreeva, whose blend of power and poise is drawing increasing attention from fans and pundits alike. Their contrasting storylines exemplify the evolving landscape of global tennis at its first Grand Slam of the year.
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