“Accept the tough moments” : Alcaraz powers past Moutet to secure Australian Open second week berth and match-up vs. Paul
Carlos Alcaraz beat Corentin Moutet 6-2, 6-4, 6-1 on Friday night. He’ll play American Tommy Paul, the No 19 seed, in the next round
Carlos Alcaraz, Australian Open 2026 | © Imago / PSnwz
Top seed Carlos Alcaraz advanced to the last 16 in Melbourne for the third consecutive year after defeating the 32nd seed Corentin Moutet 6-2, 6-4, 6-1 on Friday night.
The 22-year-old Spaniard maintained his perfect start to the 2026 season without dropping a single set in this tournament. By securing his 87th match win at a Grand Slam, Alcaraz has moved within one victory of Bjorn Borg’s Open Era record of 88 wins from a player’s first 100 major matches.
While Alcaraz dictated much of the play with his trademark power, the contest briefly tightened in the second set when the 26-year-old Corentin Moutet showcased his spectacular variety. The world No 37 Frenchman produced a surprising burst of brilliance, winning four consecutive games from a 0-3 deficit to lead 4-3, marking the first time Alcaraz has conceded a four-game streak since August 2025 against Damir Dzumhur.
“Well, “I think to maintain the focus in a Grand Slam is always difficult, but I think when you are facing these kind of players, even more difficult”, Alcaraz said.
A focus on focus and a tribute to Spain
Despite the flashiness of Moutet’s repertoire, which included high-risk drop shots and net approaches, the world No 1 remained locked in to secure his 15th career appearance in a Grand Slam second week.
“He could do whatever he wants to do, so it’s just tricky. You can go a little bit farther on the court, but then right away he makes a dropshot. If you go forward, he go with topspin. So sometime it’s just tricky. When the things that didn’t go to my side, just stayed there, and then trying to weigh my good moment again, my good rhythm, which I got in the second set.”
“Then after that, I just started to play my style of my game again. Just pleased and happy that I got my good focus during the whole match.” Following the victory, Alcaraz used his signature on the camera lens to send a message of support to his home country, which has been devastated by recent railway disasters in Adamuz and Gelida.
Tommy Paul rematch looms in the fourth round
The victory sets up a highly anticipated fourth-round clash against the No 19 seed Tommy Paul. The 28-year-old American and 2022 semifinalist advanced earlier in the evening following the retirement of Alejandro Davidovich Fokina, ensuring a high-octane battle between two of the most athletic players on the tour.
“I know what I have to do, but he’s really, really fast. He has great shots, good hands, as well. So I got to play my style. Obviously I know I’m going to suffer, and I have to be ready for that, and I have to accept the tough moments that is gonna be in the match. From that, just move on, and I’m trying to feel comfortable, you know, in those rallies, in those tough moments.”
Alcaraz and Paul currently share a 2-2 head-to-head record on hard courts, with all four encounters having been decided by narrow margins. As the tournament favorite moves into the business end of the Australian Open, his ability to suppress Moutet’s anarchic style today suggests he is physically and mentally ready for the increasing difficulty of the draw.
