Melbourne , 21 January (H.S.): Spanish tennis sensation Carlos Alcaraz advanced to the third round of the Australian Open 2026 Wednesday, defeating Germany's Yannick Hanfmann 7-6(4), 6-3, 6-2 in a gritty Rod Laver Arena showdown that underscored his career Grand Slam ambitions following a straightforward first-round win over Adam Walton.

The 22-year-old world No. 2 faced stern resistance early, trailing 1-3 in the opening set against Hanfmann's potent serving that squandered multiple break points. Alcaraz mounted a composed comeback to level proceedings, seizing the 78-minute tiebreak with clinical precision to claim the set and shift momentum decisively.

In the second set, Alcaraz asserted dominance through blistering pace and pinpoint shot-making, doubling his lead effortlessly. Hanfmann required medical treatment before the third, after which Alcaraz pounced with consecutive service breaks to wrap up the contest convincingly.

Post-match, Alcaraz reflected: I knew he'd play brilliantly—his level is clear to me. The start exceeded expectations in difficulty; his shots exploded like bombs. I'm thrilled to sustain high calibre after that tough opener. He next faces Michael Zheng or Corentin Moutet.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar