Defending champion Alcaraz cruises into third round at Wimbledon

LONDON - Defending champion Carlos Alcaraz breezed past Aleksander Vukic in straight sets to reach the men's singles third round at the Wimbledon Championships here on Wednesday.

Alcaraz, 21, held off a strong challenge from his Australian opponent in the first set, and needed only one hour and 48 minutes before seeing off the world No 69 7-6(5), 6-2, 6-2.

The third-seeded Spaniard will face American Frances Tiafoe on Friday as the world No. 29 defeated Borna Coric of Croatia in straight sets.

"It's going to be a really fun match to play, to watch," said Alcaraz who upset Tiafoe in five sets in the semifinals at 2022 US Open, where he clinched his first Grand Slam title. "I'll try to put my good weapons in the match and try to beat him."

World No.1 Jannik Sinner was tested by former Wimbledon runner-up Matteo Berrettini in an Italian derby. The 22-year-old showed his superior by beating his good friend 7-6(3), 7-6(4), 2-6, 7-6(4).

"I knew that I would have to raise my level today because he's a finalist here and a grass court specialist. I can be happy with my level tonight," said Sinner, who reached the semifinals at the All England Club last year.

In the women's singles, American second seed Coco Gauff cruised into the third round by beating Romanian qualifier Anca Toldoni 6-2, 6-1.

Four-time Grand Slam champion Naomi Osaka was knocked out of the second round by the 19th seed Emma Navarro from the United States 6-4, 6-1.