Alcaraz and Sabalenka Conquer Early Australian Open Challenges

Carlos Alcaraz withstood a barrage of big hitting from a familiar foe in Yannick Hanfmann in the Australian Open second round on Wednesday, with fellow top seed Aryna Sabalenka also enduring some shaky moments before clinching her match. Title contender Coco Gauff was another to book a spot in the next round, making short work of Olga Danilovic, and there was more joy for Turkish qualifier Zeynep Sonmez, who matched her best run at a Grand Slam by reaching the third round. After ​a breezy win in the opening round, the 22-year-old Alcaraz was given more of a workout by world No. 102 ‍Hanfmann at ⁠a sunbathed Rod Laver Arena but rose to the challenge and prevailed 7-6 (4), 6-3, 6-2.