Third seed Alex Zverev led unheralded Serbian Miomir Kecmanovic and a contingent of seeds including Denis Shapovalov and Gael Monfils through to the men's singles fourth round in compelling Day 5 action at Australian Open 2022.
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The German dismantled qualifier Radu Albot 6-3 6-4 6-4 in just under two hours, marking a more expedient outcome than his five-set test against the Moldovan in their sole prior encounter at the 2019 US Open.
The world No.3 remained unbroken despite facing five break points, and served 16 aces, more than triple his shorter opponent's five.
"Radu is in great form right now…[I'm] happy to be through in three sets," said the 24-year-old Zverev, a singles gold medallist at the Tokyo 2020 Olympics.
"Didn't feel perfect, but who is perfect?" he added, after a performance featuring seven double faults.
Shapovalov battles past Opelka
Waiting in the fourth round for Zverev is 14th seed Shapovalov, who battled past Reilly Opelka 7-6(4) 4-6 6-3 6-4. Opelka, the American 23rd seed, saved four match points before the 22-year-old Shapovalov closed out the match in three hours and two minutes.
MORE: Men's singles draw AO 2022
"It was definitely a tough one out there against Reilly, you never know how it's going to go against a guy like that," Shapovalov said, grinning at a supportive crowd on Margaret Court Arena, many of whom were waving Canada's maple leaf-adorned red and white flag.
"I think I did a really good job of taking the chances. He's improved quite a lot, he's tough from the back as well… it wasn't just about him serving."
"Hopefully I can win," Zverev said of his upcoming clash with Shapovalov, over whom he boasts a 4-2 head-to-head record. "It's going to be a great match."
Busta eliminates Korda in four
On Show Court 3, Spaniard Pablo Carreno Busta claimed his 50th singles win at a Grand Slam, fighting past American upstart Sebastian Korda 6-4 7-5 6-7(6) 6-3 in three hours and 27 minutes.
The 19th seed, who took a medical timeout to receive treatment on his lower back after the third set, converted six of 15 break points; saving 11 of 13 on his own serve.
With the victory, the Barcelona resident earned the right to a fourth round bout against seventh seed Matteo Berrettini, who survived a five-set epic to oust Carreno Busta's countryman Carlos Alcaraz.
Monfils sweeps aside Garin
In-form Gael Monfils, this month's Adelaide International 1 champion, is yet to drop a set in Melbourne Park this year. The 17th seed posted a straightforward 7-6(4) 6-1 6-3 outing against Chilean 16th seed Cristian Garin.
He struck 14 aces, taking his total winner count to 30, besting Garin's 22, en route to becoming the third Frenchman to reach a Grand Slam round of 16 behind countrymen Jo-Wilfried Tsonga and Richard Gasquet.
The popular right-hander said he quickly adapted to Friday's slightly hotter conditions, which he felt made the ball fly faster.
"I had to battle and was very lucky and fortunate to win this breaker, and I just think I was solid enough to win in straight sets," said Monfils.
Kecmanovic outlasts Sonego in four sets
Monfils' next opponent is Serbian 22-year-old Kecmanovic, who booked a maiden Grand Slam fourth round berth by ousting Italian 25th seed Lorenzo Sonego 6-4 6-7(8) 6-2 7-5.
The world No.77, coached by 2006 semifinalist David Nalbandian, outmaneuvered his 26-year-old rival in three hours and 22 minutes as the Italian became unstuck after amassing 50 unforced errors, despite making 49 winners.
"It's unbelievable," said Kecmanovic, acknowledging that his run is in part because he faced Salvatore Caruso, the Italian lucky loser, instead of top seed Novak Djokovic in the first round.
"Didn't have much of a chance there, but now I'm in the last 16, so I'm happy that I was able to use this chance and that I've been playing some really good tennis.”
The right-handed Serb lost to Monfils in three sets in a career-first meeting in Paris last year, and is expecting another tough challenge on Sunday.
"For sure it's going to be difficult, he's been playing well. But I've also played really good and have this momentum going, so hopefully it will be enough to take me through," said the former junior world No.1.