The Australian Open showcased a spectacular display of creativity and flair as fans were treated to an extraordinary volley of trick shots, featuring none other than Carlos Alcaraz as he advanced seamlessly through the tournament with an impressive victory over Corentin Moutet. But here’s where it gets controversial—while some viewers may have seen this as pure entertainment, others might argue that the emphasis on flashy shots overshadows the true skill and consistency necessary in high-stakes tennis.
Corentin Moutet, known for his playful and daring style, matched Alcaraz’s flamboyance with an arsenal of stylish strokes, including tweeners, drop shots, and lob after lob. Their match turned into a carnival of trick shots rather than a tense battle of raw power and strategy. Early in the second set, Moutet even surprised everyone with consecutive underarm serves, adding an extra layer of unpredictability. Despite the lack of intense rivalry, the spectacle captivated the crowd, offering moments of pure entertainment.
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The only time Alcaraz's smile flickered was when his opponent, Moutet, staged a remarkable comeback from 3-0 down in the set, winning four consecutive games. Yet, the reigning world No. 1 maintained his focus and resilience, unleashing a series of powerful shots that ultimately secured his victory with scores of 6-2, 6-4, and 6-1.
Looking ahead, Alcaraz is set to face 19th seed Tommy Paul, who advanced past Alejandro Davidovich Fokina after the Spaniard withdrew from their match when trailing 6-1, 6-1.
Reflecting on his game, Alcaraz expressed: “Playing someone like Corentin is unpredictable; you never know what’s coming next,” he said, reaching the fourth round without dropping a set. “It’s challenging, but I had a blast on the court. We both made some incredible shots and highlights, and I’m just grateful for moments like these.”
Additionally, here’s more from the tournament:
- Latest scores and upcoming matches here
- Men's and women's draw information here
- Schedule and order of play for 2026 here
- Australian Open 2026 dates and format here
Alcaraz also shared some humorous insights about his game: “I told my team, ‘I’m not going to run for another drop shot. I’ve been at the net about 55 times—my legs are tired!’ It felt like a drop shot contest, but, honestly, he won that battle.”
And then, there’s the ongoing rivalry between Medvedev and Learner Tien. The two are set for yet another showdown, reigniting an intense series of encounters that have defined last year’s tournaments. Tien, just 20 years old, caused a stir by eliminating former US Open champion Daniil Medvedev in their previous meeting—an unexpected upset that turned heads.
This year, Tien has continued his remarkable streak, advancing to the fourth round after defeating Nuno Borges 7-6(11-9), 6-4, 6-2. He expressed excitement for the rematch: “It’s crazy to think we’re playing each other again just a year later. I’m really looking forward to it.”
Both players are seasoned competitors known for their resilience—neither giving up easily and often engaging in long, grueling rallies. Medvedev, who struggled in Grand Slams last year with only one win, has already surpassed that in 2026 by coming back from two sets down to beat Fabian Marozsan (6-7, 4-6, 7-5, 6-0, 6-3).
Medvedev commented on facing Tien again: “I don’t usually look at the scores during matches, but this time I caught a glimpse—they said Tien was leading two sets to love. I thought, ‘Alright, this will be tough,’ especially since I was already two sets down. Winning that match was intense, but I enjoy this challenge. I don’t particularly like playing him, but I think he must hate playing me even more. I’ll try to enjoy the game and see if I can surprise him again.”
For tennis fans eager to watch these matchups, Sky Sports continues to broadcast ATP and WTA tournaments live, or you can stream with NOW and the Sky Sports app, gaining access to over 50% more live sport events this year at no extra cost. More details are available here.
