World No.1 Carlos Alcaraz is set to continue his quest for his first Australian Open title as he faces Germany’s Yannick Hanfmann in a highly anticipated matchup. The Spanish star made headlines after overcoming Hanfmann in straight sets at the 2023 China Open, despite facing two break points then. Since that encounter, Alcaraz has achieved remarkable success, adding four more Grand Slam titles to his name, and is eager to become the youngest man to secure a career Grand Slam during this tournament.
“I’m feeling this year probably is one of those years that I will be able to go further than the quarterfinals,” Alcaraz expressed following his opening-round victory over Adam Walton. He has dominated his rivalry with Jannik Sinner, besting him in two of three major finals last year, and is feeling optimistic about his chances at the Australian Open. Alcaraz has a symbolic kangaroo tattoo in mind, signifying his anticipated triumph in Melbourne.
In the night session, sixth-seeded Alex de Minaur will meet Serbia’s Hamad Medjedovic for the first time. Known for his exceptional defensive skills and agility on the court, de Minaur is now channeling his efforts into enhancing his court position to gain control over matches. He aims to increase his aggression against the 22-year-old Medjedovic, who is ranked No. 90 in the world.
Medjedovic, a promising player from Serbia, has a unique advantage thanks to his mentor and countryman, 10-time Australian Open champion Novak Djokovic. Having trained with Djokovic and receiving financial support, Medjedovic is poised to make an impression, aspiring to emulate a fraction of Djokovic’s monumental success on the famed Rod Laver Arena.
As the tournament progresses, both players have compelling narratives, adding to the thrill of competition at this prestigious event. The Australian Open continues to showcase not just tennis, but also the inspiring stories of young athletes striving to make their mark.