Novak Djokovic went down fighting 2-6, 6-2, 6-3, 7-5 to Alcaraz, who bagged his first Melbourne Park title and became the youngest man to win all four majors.
American Jessica Pegula defeated compatriot and defending champion Madison Keys to make the Australian Open quarter-finals.
Jannik Sinner was in ominous form on the Rod Laver Arena court he has ruled for two years before the match was cut short.
'I've practised with both of them a little bit and they're incredible ball strikers. There's more to come, I hope they stay injury-free.'
Mohun Bagan Super Giant defeated Kerala Blasters 2-0 in the opening match of the Indian Super League season.
Australia defeated India by 19 runs in the second T20I to level the three-match series, powered by a record opening stand between Georgia Voll and Beth Mooney.
Serena Williams fuels comeback speculation with TV interview
Australia host the next T20 World Cup in 2028 but will be eyeing a bigger prize a few months before that when cricket is reintroduced to the Olympics in LA.
IMAGES from the Australian Open matches played at Melbourne Park in Melbourne on Thursday.
Former Wimbledon champion Marketa Vondrousova withdrew from the Australian Open on Sunday after the Czech player said she was dealing with a shoulder injury.
Seven-times Grand Slam champion Venus Williams thanked Australian Open organisers on Saturday for giving her a wildcard that will see the 45-year-old American become the oldest woman ever to compete in the singles main draw.
Injury-hit Australia can still contend at World Cup, says Ellis
Arundhati Reddy's 4/22 and Shafali Verma's cameo power India to a 21-run DLS win over Australia in the opening Women's T20I in Sydney.
Delhi Capitals put up an all-round display to extend their remarkable consistency, storming into a fourth consecutive Women's Premier League final with a comprehensive seven-wicket win over Gujarat Giants in the Eliminator, in Vadodara, on Tuesday.
Alcaraz proves too strong after early Hanfmann scare in their 2nd round match at the Australian Open in Melbourne on Wednesday.
Sophie Molineux will take over as Australia's all-formats captain after Alyssa Healy retires at the end of the upcoming home series against India.
Carlos Alcaraz powered into his third successive Australian Open quarter-final, beating Tommy Paul in straight sets in a match interrupted by a medical emergency.
Australia increased its student visa application fee from 1,600 to 2,000 Australian dollars. This is now the highest such visa fee in the world.
After being snubbed at the IPL auctions, Australian Steve Smith has moved to the Pakistan Super League to revive T20 career.
Tennis showman Gael Monfils bowed out of his 20th and final Australian Open on Tuesday with a mix of pain and regret as he fell to an injury-hampered 6-7(3), 7-5, 6-4, 7-5 defeat in the first round to local qualifier Dane Sweeny.
Australia's title bid will be tested by injuries and Asian conditions at the T20 World Cup.
Lorenzo Musetti brushed aside Taylor Fritz in straight sets to reach his first Australian Open quarter-final, setting up a blockbuster last-eight clash with Novak Djokovic at Melbourne Park.
Russian-born Daria Kasatkina said she is ready to embrace the "good pressure" of a home Grand Slam when she steps onto the Melbourne Park court as an Australian citizen for the first time.
IMAGES from Day 4 of the matches played at the Australian Open at Melbourne Park on Wednesday.
The Pakistan hockey team faced a severe accommodation crisis in Canberra after their hotel bookings were cancelled due to the Pakistan Hockey Federation's failure to pay the bill. Players were left stranded and forced to find alternative solutions.
Australia, dealing with injury concerns surrounding captain Mitchell Marsh, will face a potentially tricky Zimbabwe side in their upcoming T20 World Cup Group B match. The Aussies are aiming for a Super Eights spot, but Zimbabwe's bowling attack and experienced players could pose a challenge.
Italy registered their first-ever T20 World Cup win, thrashing Nepal by 10 wickets as the Mosca brothers scripted history with an unbeaten 123-run stand.
Gauff is a fan favourite in Melbourne
Pakistan grabbed an unassailable 2-0 lead in the three-match Twenty20 series against Australia after skipper Salman Agha led by example to secure their comprehensive 90-run victory in the second match in Lahore on Saturday.
World number one Aryna Sabalenka enters the Australian Open in her familiar role as the hot favourite but unlike in the past two years the powerful Belarusian arrives without a title to defend or the momentum of a winning run in Melbourne.
Abhishek Sharma has proved to be unstoppable with the bat for India in T20 Internationals, hitting 1297 runs in 33 matches at a strike rate of 194.74.
Nepal's captain Rohit Paudel has emphasized the need for increased international cricket engagements for his team following their narrow defeat against England in the T20 World Cup. He believes regular exposure to top teams is crucial for the development of Nepali cricket.
Sri Lanka beat Australia by eight wickets in a Group B match to qualify for the Super Eight stage of the T20 World Cup in Pallekele.
Australia began their T20 World Cup campaign with a thumping 67-run victory over Ireland, in Colombo, on Wednesday.
Qualifier Arthur Fery delivered a stunning Australian Open win by beating 20th seed Flavio Cobolli on Sunday.
Nepal head coach Stuart Law expressed disappointment over the team's 10-wicket defeat to debutants Italy, saying players had "not shown commitment".
Opener Brian Bennett smashed a half-century and pacer Blessing Muzarabani bagged four wickets as Zimbabwe caused the biggest upset of the T20 World Cup, outclassing Australia by 23 runs.
World number one Aryna Sabalenka brushed aside Marta Kostyuk 6-4, 6-3 in the Brisbane International final on Sunday to retain the title without losing a set ahead of her bid to reclaim the Australian Open title this month.
'Meg brings a rare combination of experience, clarity, and calmness that sets her apart as a leader.'
World number one Carlos Alcaraz arrives in Melbourne with only one mission in mind -- claim a first Australian Open title to become the youngest man to complete the career Grand Slam.
