Alcaraz overcomes Moutet’s variety to reach fourth round

Carlos Alcaraz defeated Corentin Moutet 6–2, 6–4, 6–1 to reach the Australian Open fourth round. The world number one completed the third-round match in two hours and five minutes, securing his fifteenth appearance in the last sixteen of a major.

Moutet’s drop shots and unconventional shot-making repeatedly drew Alcaraz forward. The Frenchman recovered from a double-break deficit in the second set and won four successive games to take the lead, but Alcaraz regained his rhythm and restored control at the decisive stage.

The third set was more comfortable for the Spaniard, who established another double-break advantage and prevented any late revival. Alcaraz acknowledged the challenge of maintaining concentration against such an unpredictable opponent and prepared for a fourth-round contest with nineteenth seed Tommy Paul.