Carlos Alcaraz delivered a commanding performance in the Australian Open second round, dispatching Yoshihito Nishioka 6-0, 6-1, 6-4 in just 81 minutes on Margaret Court Arena.
With the right mix of power and precision, the No. 3 seed demonstrated why he’s considered one of the brightest young stars in tennis at the moment. After a grueling first-round match, Alcaraz’s second-round display was a masterclass in efficiency, a testament to his physical preparation and tactical adjustments.
Alcaraz dominated the match from the start, firing 14 aces. Reflecting on his improved performance, he said, “Physically, I’m feeling great, but I just tried to be focused and spend as little time as I can.” His dominant serve, a focus during pre-season training, was the cornerstone of his swift victory.
The young Spaniard admitted he wasn’t satisfied with his serving performance in his first-round match against Alexander Shevchenko, which lasted nearly two hours. Determined to improve, he spent extra time in practice fine-tuning his serve with coach Juan Carlos Ferrero. The results were evident as he breezed through Nishioka with confidence.
While Alcaraz joked postgame about his sleeveless outfit and biceps, drawing comparisons to Rafael Nadal, his ambitions are clear. Winning the Australian Open would not only mark his first title at Melbourne Park but also make him the youngest man in history to complete a Career Grand Slam. “That’s one of the reasons I really want to win this tournament one day,” he said, his determination palpable.
Alcaraz will face either No. 27 seed Jordan Thompson or Nuno Borges for a place in the next round of the tournament.
