Australian Open: Awesome Alcaraz marches on in Melbourne

Four-time grand slam champion Carlos Alcaraz made light work of Yoshihito Nishioka to continue his excellent start at the Australian Open.

Alcaraz wrapped up a 6-0 6-1 6-4 victory in just 81 minutes on Wednesday.

The Spaniard, who would become the youngest man to complete the career slam should he triumph at Melbourne Park, has now won both of his opening games of the season's first major in straight sets.

Alcaraz needed less than 20 minutes to seal a first-set bagel, and lost just one point on his serve in the opener.

And despite a resurgence from Nishioka in the final set, Alcaraz had little trouble in getting the job done with an excellent forehand winner down the line.

26 - Only four players in the Open Era have won more Men's Singles Grand Slam hard court matches than Carlos Alcaraz (26) before turning 22: Djokovic (29), Sampras, Hewitt (28 each) and Safin (27) - surpassing Nadal and Roddick (25). Climb.#AO2025 | @AustralianOpen @atptour pic.twitter.com/ZSgif0bZFO

— OptaAce (@OptaAce) January 15, 2025

Asked about his rapid victory, the 21-year-old said: "The less time you spend on court in the grand slams, especially at the beginning, it's better.

"Physically, I'm feeling great, but I just tried to be focus and just spend as little time as I can [on court]."

Data Debrief: Alcaraz among elite company

Only four players in the Open Era have won more men's singles major hard court matches than Alcaraz (26) before they turned 22.

They are Novak Djokovic (29), Pete Sampras, Lleyton Hewitt (28 each) and Marat Safin (27). This victory saw Alcaraz surpass Rafael Nadal and Andy Roddick (25).