Carlos Alcaraz delivered a composed and authoritative display at the Australian Open, dismantling Corentin Moutet in straight sets and leaving no room for any suggestion of an upset.
From the opening games, Alcaraz imposed his tempo and intensity, making it clear that the contest would be played entirely on his terms.
Early breaks establish control
Alcaraz set the tone in the opening set by securing two breaks of serve, cruising to a 6–2 lead without facing sustained pressure. His depth, movement and ability to dictate rallies prevented Moutet from settling into any rhythm.
The second set followed a more turbulent pattern early on. Alcaraz surged ahead with two consecutive breaks, only for Moutet to briefly respond by breaking back twice and restoring balance. That resistance, however, proved short-lived.
Alcaraz raises his level decisively
Rather than allowing momentum to shift, Alcaraz responded with authority. Increasing his aggression and precision, he broke once more and calmly served out the second set, reasserting full control of the match.
The third set was one-sided. Alcaraz accelerated further, breaking serve three times and closing out the contest 6–1 with clinical efficiency, underlining the gap in consistency and execution between the two players.
A step too far for Moutet
Moutet entered the match after solid performances in earlier rounds, including wins over an Australian opponent in the first round and American player Cheng in the second. However, the Frenchman was unable to match the sustained intensity of a fully focused Alcaraz.
Currently ranked world No. 37, with a career-high ranking of 31 achieved last season, Moutet found himself overwhelmed by the pace and precision of the reigning world No. 1, who continues to look increasingly comfortable as the tournament progresses.
By si.robi – Alcaraz MCM22 (27), CC BY-SA 2.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=117594488
By Hameltion – Own work, CC BY-SA 4.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=170619838
With performances like this, Alcaraz continues to underline why he remains the benchmark for consistency and authority at the highest level of the men’s game as the Australian Open moves into Day 6.