Melbourne: Carlos Alcaraz delivered a dominant performance to breeze past Japan’s Yoshihito Nishioka 6-0, 6-1, 6-4 in the second round of the Australian Open on Wednesday.
The Spanish world No. 2 needed just 81 minutes to secure his spot in the third round, showcasing an overwhelming display of precision, power, and pace.
Alcaraz, who adjusted to a slightly heavier racquet during the off-season, demonstrated notable improvements in his serving game. His serve speeds and forehand strikes showed significant gains compared to his 2024 performance, underscoring his adaptability and preparation for the Grand Slam stage.
The first set lasted only 18 minutes as the Spaniard outclassed the 170 cm southpaw, leaving Nishioka scrambling to find answers. Despite his best efforts, including a brief resurgence in the third set, Nishioka could not stem the tide against an opponent in commanding form.
Alcaraz, seeking to capitalise on a strong start to his 2025 campaign, will next face either 27th seed Jordan Thompson of Australia or Portugal’s Nuno Borges in the third round.
