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Carlos Alcaraz wins third-round match but loses 'drop-shot battle' at Australian Open
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Carlos Alcaraz of Spain plays a backhand return to Corentin Moutet of France during their third round match at the Australian Open tennis championship in Melbourne, Australia, Friday, Jan. 23, 2026. - photo by AP Photo/Asanka Brendon Ratnayake
MELBOURNE, Australia (AP) — Carlos Alcaraz acknowledged that while he won the third-round match, he lost the battle of the drop shots against Corentin Moutet. That could be a first for the 22-year-old Spaniard, who grew up relentlessly practicing his drop shots and is now at the Australian Open chasing a career Grand Slam. The left-handed Moutet mixed things up for Alcaraz in an almost festival Friday vibe on Rod Laver Arena, his blend of drop shots, slice, tweeners, half-volleys, angled volleys and even an underarm serve keeping the world's No.