Despite a strong performance, Yannick Hanfmann clearly missed a surprise against world number one Carlos Alcaraz at the Australian Open. The 34-year-old from Karlsruhe demanded everything from the Spaniard in his second round match, especially in the first set, but ultimately had to admit defeat in Melbourne 6:7 (4:7), 3:6, 2:6.
This means that there is only one German tennis professional among the men in Alexander Zverev. The world number three will play against Frenchman Alexandre Müller at 8:30 a.m. CET (Eurosport) for a place in the third round. In the women’s race, Laura Siegemund will be in action against Australian qualifier Maddison Inglis on Thursday.
Long first sentence
Hanfmann showed no respect for Alcaraz in the Rod Laver Arena from the start. The Davis Cup professional played courageously and powerfully, repeatedly putting last year’s French Open and US Open champions in trouble. Hanfmann managed an early break to make it 3-1, Alcaraz looked a little surprised at his new coaching team.
The Spaniard Hanfmann also took the service immediately afterwards, but Hanfmann was not deterred and put the big favorite in dire straits. At 5:4 he was only two points away from winning the set, and Alcaraz only won the first round in the tiebreak – after 78 minutes. “I knew he would play well. But it was harder than expected at the beginning,” admitted Alcaraz.
Hanfmann continued to resist the expected defeat, but Alcaraz now had the situation under control. The world number one managed an early break to make it 3-1, and after 2:01 hours he also took the second set.
Hanfmann then had his stomach area treated, but continued playing. But he could no longer put Alcaraz in danger. The Spaniard, who is still missing the triumph at the Australian Open as his only Grand Slam title, now routinely played down his program and converted his third match point after 2:44 hours. Hanfmann has to wait for his first third round at a Grand Slam tournament.
