Alcaraz Survives Hanfmann’s Onslaught in Melbourne

Melbourne’s midday heat wrapped Rod Laver Arena in a humid haze as Carlos Alcaraz stepped out for his second-round clash at the Australian Open. The top-seeded Spaniard, gunning for his first title here to complete a career Grand Slam before turning 23, locked eyes with Germany’s Yannick Hanfmann across the net. What started as a measured exchange exploded into a test of wills, Alcaraz grinding out a 7-6 (4), 6-3, 6-2 victory that left him wiping sweat and exhaling relief.

Hanfmann, a qualifier with little pressure, fired flat serves and groundstrokes that hissed off the Plexicushion, forcing Alcaraz into hurried footwork from the outset. The Spaniard absorbed the pace, his heavy topspin looping high to buy time, but the German’s returns kept rallies short and sharp. Alcaraz’s backhand slice floated just over the net, drawing a net cord error to snag the first set tiebreak and shift the crowd’s murmur to cheers.

Hanfmann’s pace disrupts early rhythm

Hanfmann’s aggressive baseline game thrived on Melbourne’s medium-fast hardcourts, his inside-out forehands skidding low and pinning Alcaraz deep. The Spaniard countered with a 1–2 pattern, slamming serves wide before ripping crosscourt forehands to reclaim center. Yet Hanfmann’s backhand bombs forced defensive lobs, the German charging the net twice to volley winners and keep the set on a knife’s edge.

Alcaraz’s experience flickered through in subtle shifts; he targeted Hanfmann’s second serve with deep returns, forcing weak replies that he dispatched down-the-line. The crowd sensed the tension, their applause spiking at each prolonged rally, as the top seed’s footwork blurred to cover the court’s width. By late in the opener, sweat beaded on both players, but Alcaraz’s tiebreak poise—redirecting an inside-in winner—broke the deadlock.

Alcaraz dials in tactical variety

Into the second set, Alcaraz varied his attack, mixing slice serves to Hanfmann’s body with inside-out backhands that opened angles. The German’s energy held, but a double fault under rising cheers handed the break, Alcaraz consolidating with a volley at the net. Hanfmann pushed back with heavy topspin, but the Spaniard’s movement now dictated tempo, turning defense into offense stroke by stroke.

The third set unfolded smoother, Alcaraz’s confidence surging as he owned shorter points with net approaches and drop shots. Hanfmann’s bombs lost sting, his unforced errors climbing on the up-bounce from Alcaraz’s underspin. At 22, the win propels him deeper, each point a brick in the foundation of his Slam pursuit amid a grueling season.

Seeds advance amid draw drama

Across the men’s draw, 2021 US Open winner and 11th-seeded Daniil Medvedev steadied after dropping a tiebreak to beat Quentin Halys 6-7 (9), 6-3, 6-4, 6-2, his backhand slices neutralizing the Frenchman’s power. 13th-seeded Andrey Rublev outlasted Jaime Faria in four sets, 6-4, 6-3, 4-6, 7-5, relying on forehand depth to seal the decider. 19th-seeded Tommy Paul dominated Thiago Agustin Tirante 6-3, 6-4, 6-2, his crosscourt angles carving through from the baseline.

14th-seeded Alejandro Davidovich Fokina took the first two sets but wobbled late, edging American Reilly Opelka 6-3, 7-6 (3), 5-7, 4-6, 6-4 in a five-set grind. These battles highlight Melbourne’s volatility, where tactical edges on the hardcourts separate survivors from the pack. As Alcaraz prepares for round three, the pressure builds, his path laced with heavier tests under the Australian sun.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.