Melbourne: World No. 1 Carlos Alcaraz celebrated a major career milestone on Friday, recording his 100th Grand Slam match with a commanding 6-2, 6-4, 6-1 victory over Corentin Moutet to reach the Australian Open fourth round. The 22-year-old Spaniard dazzled the Rod Laver Arena crowd with his mix of power, precision, and flair, including a stunning tweener on the second point of the second set and a 16-shot rally that had fans on their feet.
Alcaraz, chasing his first Australian Open crown and a Career Grand Slam, played with composure, even after a mid-set wobble in the second. After leading 3-0, he dropped four games in a row but regrouped to break Moutet at 4-4 and close out the set, then raced through the third set with a double-break lead. The match lasted two hours and five minutes.
“It wasn’t easy. Playing someone like Corentin is unpredictable, but I had a lot of fun on court. We both produced some great points,” Alcaraz said.
The 22-year-old six-time major champion now boasts an 87-13 record at Grand Slams, tying Bjorn Borg for the best record after 100 major matches—a milestone that sees him surpass legends including Rafael Nadal and John McEnroe, who went 86-14 over their first 100 Slam matches.
Alcaraz will next face 19th seed Tommy Paul, who advanced when Alejandro Davidovich Fokina retired with a left leg injury while trailing 6-1, 6-1. Alcaraz leads their head-to-head series 5-2 and is anticipating another high-stakes battle. “Tommy plays aggressive tennis, especially on hard courts. He has a flat backhand and great touch. It’s always a tough match,” Alcaraz noted.
Through three rounds in Melbourne, Alcaraz has yet to drop a set, delivering 30 winners against Moutet, including passing shots on the Frenchman’s net rushes. Moutet also entertained with his own flair, producing deft tweeners and delicate drop shots, but the Spaniard’s firepower proved decisive.
With his combination of youth, skill, and consistency, Alcaraz is quickly cementing his place among the sport’s all-time greats, leaving fans eager to see if he can carry this momentum all the way to a first Australian Open title.
Source: ATP Tour
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