Carlos Alcaraz turned his 100th Grand Slam match into a statement performance at the Australian Open on Friday, sweeping aside Corentin Moutet in straight sets on Rod Laver Arena. The world number one barely broke stride as he booked a last-16 place in Melbourne. He did it with authority, control, and very little fuss.
The 22-year-old Spaniard dictated everything from the baseline and shut down Moutet’s flair before it could spark. He mixed power with patience and forced errors through relentless depth. The scoreline told the truth of the contest.
Alcaraz knew the danger before he walked out, even if the match never caught fire. He spoke honestly about the challenge of facing an unpredictable opponent.
“It wasn’t easy. To be honest, when you play someone like Corentin you don’t know what’s coming next,” Alcaraz said.
That assessment felt generous, because Alcaraz solved the puzzle quickly and never let the match drift.
He also made clear he enjoyed the battle on his own terms.
“But I had fun on the court. I think we both pulled off great shots and great points,” he said.
The fun, though, stayed firmly within Alcaraz’s control.
This victory carried extra weight beyond the scoreboard. It marked his 100th Grand Slam appearance and pushed his record to a staggering 87 wins and 13 defeats, matching Bjorn Borg at the same stage. That is rare air, and Alcaraz continues to breathe it easily.
Moutet, a left-hander with imagination and tricks to burn, tried to disrupt rhythm with variety. Underarm serves and sudden drop shots flashed briefly. Alcaraz simply adjusted, stepped forward, and closed the door.
The Spaniard now moves into a meeting with American 19th seed Tommy Paul for a quarter-final place. Paul advanced after Alejandro Davidovich Fokina retired injured. Alcaraz will start that contest as the clear favourite.
The Australian Open remains the one major missing from his collection. Alcaraz has never gone beyond the last eight in Melbourne, and that edge of unfinished business sharpens his focus. If he lifts the trophy here, he becomes the youngest man to win all four Grand Slams.
