Spanish teenager Carlos Alcaraz continued his rise with a 6-2, 6-1, 7-5 win over Dusan Lajovic in Melbourne on Wednesday and could face seventh seed Matteo Berrettini next.
With coach Juan Carlos Ferrero watching the young Spaniard didn’t take long top et into his stride, taking there first two sets with relative ease.
Lajovic offered so e resistance in the third set before Alcaraz, who looks to have spent time in the gym over Christmas, finished off the match.
Last year the youngster had to advance through qualifying to make the main draw. This year, on the back of a stellar 2021 he is seeded at No. 31.
Another Spaniard, 19th seed Pablo Carreno Busta, had a tougher match, eventually battling past Dutchman Tallon Griekspoor 6-3 6-7 (6-8) 7-6 (7-3) 3-6 6-4.
And the big-serving Reilly Opelka also advanced with a 6-4 6-3 7-6 (7-4) win over Dominik Koepfer of Germany.
