France, Jan. 21 -- Moutet, the 32nd seed, was leading 2-0 in the fourth set and by two sets to one when his 21-year-old opponent retired with a leg injury.

Alcaraz beat Yannick Hanfmann from Germany in straight sets.

Moutet, 26, said he was relishing his first encounter with the 22-year-old Spaniard who has never won the crown in Melbourne but has won six titles at the three other Grand Slam tournaments inFrance, England and the United States.

"First of all, I'll have to play well against him, that's for sure," Moutet told the French sports newspaper L'Equipe.

"He's one of the best players in the world. As for changing my game, you can't change your identity in a matter of days.

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