Australian Open 2025 Men’s Day 6

Title contenders Alexander Zverev and Carlos Alcaraz, reinforced their trophy intentions at the Australian Open on Friday with defeats of potential spoilers.

Second seed Zverev, twice a Melbourne semi-finalist, ended the run of Jakob Fearnley, who beat Nick Kyrgios in the first round,  dropping the Brit 6-3, 6-4, 6-4 to move into the fourth round.

Zverev said he needed to deal with a swirling wind which raked Melbourne Park all day under sunny skies.

“They were different conditions than my other matches. It was much more difficult to play.

“My first few matches had almost perfect conditions, no wind at all. The second match was basically indoors.

“I think my opponent did a great job of maximising today. Was very aggressive,

he was returning quite well. I’m happy with a straight-set win.”

Former No. 1 and third seed Alcaraz needed to work a bit harder before concluding his 6-2, 6-4, 6-7 (3), 6-2 defeat of Portugal’s Nuno Borges.

“I’m just really happy with my level,” the Spaniard said. “But it could be better.

“I made a lot of mistakes that I shouldn’t have done. But in general, I’m  happy but have to improve in approaching the next match.”

It was the first match at this edition for Alcaraz on the Laver showcourt.

“”I missed Rod Laver. I’m just really, really happy to be able to play here once again,” he said.

“I tried to show my best tennis here. The last time that I played here I lost (to Zverev, quarter-finals last season), so I really wanted to play here and get another win here in Rod Laver.”

The 12th seed won three titles last season and began 2025 with a semi-final in Adelaide last week.

The seed dominated the first two sets, dropping only six points on serve in each of them.

Borges avoided a straight-sets loss as he won the third before Alcaraz closed out the fourth and victory.

American Tommy Paul took a medical timeout on his way into the last 16, defeating Roberto Carballes Baena 7-6 (0), 6-2, 6-0.

Spaniard Alejandro Davidovich Fokina needed three and a half hours to subdue 

Czech Jakob Mensik, fighting from two sets to love down for a 3-6, 4-6, 7-6 (7), 6-4, 6-2 victory.