Carlos Alcaraz is in the third round. © APA/afp / PAUL CROCK
Despite a strong performance, Yannick Hanfmann clearly missed a surprise against world number one Carlos Alcaraz at the Australian Open.
21 January 2026
From: dpa
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. Hanfmann showed no respect for Alcaraz in the Rod Laver Arena from the start.
The German 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.
Alcaraz pays respect to his opponent
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. “His balls came like bombs.”
Carlos Alcaraz wants to triumph in Melbourne for the first time. © ANSA / JAMES ROSS
For Hanfmann, losing the first set was extremely bitter. “This is not an easy situation. You know, we’ve been playing at a high level for an hour and a half and now you still have to win three sets against the number one in the world,” said Hanfmann. “That’s why it’s so brutally difficult to beat the top guys in best-of-five.”
