AAP Tennis

Alcaraz gears up for grand slam test after easy victory

Jan 23, 2026

World No.1 Carlos Alcaraz was in dominant form to clinch his third-round match in straight sets. -AAP Image

Carlos Alcaraz is set to face his first real test of the tournament as the superstar Spaniard searches for a maiden Australian Open title.

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The world No.1 is yet to drop a set in Melbourne, cruising into the fourth round with a 6-2 6-4 6-1 victory over French trickster Corentin Moutet on Friday.

Alcaraz next faces American fan favourite Tommy Paul, whose third-round opponent Alejandro Davidovich Fokina was forced to retire after two sets.

Except for some struggles on serve in the second set, Alcaraz at times seemed to be toying with world No.32 Moutet, with plenty of lobs, tweeners and drop shots to entertain a packed house at Rod Laver Arena.

Playing his 100th grand slam match, the top seed sealed his third consecutive straight-sets win within two hours.

World No.20 Paul is still searching for a grand slam win over Alcaraz, having previously fallen to the Spaniard at the French Open in 2025 and Wimbledon in 2024.

On both occasions Alcaraz went on to lift the trophy.

"We have had great battles against each other. It's always hard to play against him, he plays great tennis on hard court," Alcaraz said of Paul.

"It's going to be a really interesting one.

"I'm just really looking forward to playing against Tommy one more time. I think that people are going to enjoy it because it's always a great level."

The American backed himself to deliver an upset, while noting the lightning-fast Alcaraz had been playing at a level all other players are striving to reach.

"I believe I can win every time I go out there," Paul said in his post-match press conference on Friday.

"We set a game plan that (feels) like the right game plan against him. It's about executing that, and I can't make mistakes.

"I have to serve well, attack and play on my terms as much as possible."

The explosive Spaniard is desperate to go deep at Melbourne Park after previous attempts were halted by big-time quarter-final opponents.

Alcaraz's previous quarter-final defeats came at the hands of Alexander Zverev in 2024 and 10-time champion Novak Djokovic in 2025.

The 22-year-old superstar has two French Open, two Wimbledon and two US Open titles, and is seeking the Australian Open to complete a career grand slam.