Photo: CollectedMELBOURNE, Jan 21, 2026 (BSS/AFP) - Top-ranked Carlos Alcaraz fended off a series of "bombs" before surging into the Australian Open third round on Wednesday, where he was joined by Aryna Sabalenka and a near-flawless Coco Gauff. Alexander Zverev, the third seed well beaten in last year's final by Jannik Sinner, also went through in four sets. Spanish superstar Alcaraz came through 7-6 (7/4), 6-3, 6-2 on Rod Laver Arena against hard-hitting German Yannick Hanfmann to take another step towards a career Grand Slam. The break failed to derail the German's victory charge, which resumed under a closed roof, as he won 6-3, 4-6, 6-3, 6-4. Third seed Gauff was clinical against Serbia's Olga Danilovic, who ended Venus Williams's tournament in round one.

Source: Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha January 21, 2026 13:10 UTC