Alcaraz's advancement prompts netizens to joke it was a practice match, tying a record from the Borg Open era.

In the third round of the Australian Open men's singles, world No.1 Alcaraz beat French player Moutet 6-2, 6-4, 6-1 in straight sets, comfortably moving into the last 16. The 22-year-old Spanish talent is chasing a career Grand Slam, and this match was exactly his 100th Grand Slam main draw appearance.

Before the match, the odds left little doubt, with most expecting the world No.1 to win easily. However, Moutet’s game is flexible and varied, with strong baseline resilience that has troubled Alcaraz in the past, so the top player had to remain cautious.

Once the match started, Alcaraz dispelled all doubts with his performance, controlling the pace from the outset. He dominated the first set, breaking serve multiple times to win 6-2, showcasing overwhelming superiority. Although Moutet resisted somewhat in the second set, Alcaraz still secured it 6-4. In the third set, Alcaraz fully unleashed his game and closed the match decisively at 6-1, with the entire contest lasting less than two hours.

Throughout the match, Alcaraz hit 30 winners while committing only 20 unforced errors. He demonstrated comprehensive skills, excelling both in baseline rallies and net approaches. Moreover, his efficiency in converting break points was impressive. His first serve success rate stayed above 60%, reflecting improvements made to his serve during the off-season.

“My form is getting better and better,” Alcaraz said in a post-match interview. “Corentin is an unpredictable player; his drop shots and slices make it hard to find a rhythm.” He also emphasized the importance of adjusting his pace in this match: “Today, I just tried my best to find my rhythm, and I’m very happy about that.”

Regarding the upcoming fourth-round match against American Tommy Paul, Alcaraz remained cautious: “I know I will face challenges and must be prepared. I have to accept that tough moments will come during the match.”

Notably, after this match, Alcaraz set a record: this was his 100th Grand Slam appearance. In these 100 matches, he has achieved an astonishing 87 wins and 13 losses, a winning percentage that ties him with Swedish legend Björn Borg as the best in the Open Era.

Many netizens humorously called this victory a “world No.1’s tutorial match,” saying Alcaraz completely controlled the pace and left his opponent with no real threat. Some comments joked that Moutet “couldn’t find any way to break the world No.1’s game.”

Other fans remarked, “The previous match was nerve-wracking, and after Ferrero left, we feared Alcaraz might revert to old habits. If every round was as erratic as the last, winning the title would be tough. This round was much steadier, giving fans reassurance. This kind of performance truly deserves the world No.1 ranking.”

What kind of performance will Alcaraz deliver in the fourth round? And can he claim the Australian Open title this year to complete his career Grand Slam? Let’s wait and see!(Source: Tennis Home, Author: Lu Xiaotian)