Australian Open 2026: Big Names Advance, Home Hopes Fade Except ‘Demon’ De Minaur
Day 4 of the 2026 Australian Open delivered a mix of dominant wins from top seeds, dramatic battles, and disappointment for many Australian players, as the second round wrapped up and the third round began to take shape at Melbourne Park.
Top Seeds Move Through with Authority
World No. 1 Carlos Alcaraz continued his push for a first Australian Open title, advancing in straight sets with a strong performance on Rod Laver Arena. The reigning major winner showed excellent control throughout his match, progressing without dropping a set.
Aryna Sabalenka also cruised into the third round, defeating her opponent comfortably and asserting her status as one of the favourites on the women’s side.
Coco Gauff was equally impressive, dominating her opponent in straight sets, and will now face fellow American Hailey Baptiste next.
Other victorious seeds included Elina Svitolina, Victoria Mboko, and several others who advanced in straight sets, showing depth in both the women’s and men’s draws.
Alex de Minaur – The Lone Australian Survivor
In what was a tough day for local players, Alex de Minaur was the only Australian to make it through to the third round. After dropping the first set in a tiebreak to Serbia’s Hamad Medjedovic, De Minaur rallied superbly to win in four sets.
The match was interrupted by a rain delay that saw the roof closed on Rod Laver Arena, but De Minaur returned stronger, using his defensive strengths and intensity to overpower his opponent.
His next challenge will come against either Frances Tiafoe or Francisco Comesana in the third round.
Tennis Battlegrounds: Zverev and Medvedev Impress
Alexander Zverev overcame a stubborn challenge from Alexandre Muller in a four-set duel — despite some disruptions and a minor ankle concern. The German showed grit to reach the third round.
Daniil Medvedev also advanced after dropping the first set in a tight tiebreak before reasserting control to win in four. His powerful baseline game looked dangerous as he progressed deeper into the tournament.
Upsets & Drama
While several marquee players moved through, there were notable upsets:
- Emma Raducanu was eliminated from the women’s draw in straight sets by Anastasia Potapova.
- A handful of local Australian hopes — including Talia Gibson, Storm Hunter, Ajla Tomljanovic, James Duckworth, and Priscilla Hon — exited the tournament, many in straight-set defeats.
Looking Ahead – Third Round Setups
As Day 4 concluded, several compelling third-round matchups are on the horizon:
- Alcaraz will continue his bid for a career Grand Slam.
- De Minaur takes on Tiafoe or Comesana with strong home support.
- Zverev faces British star Cameron Norrie next.
- Gauff, Sabalenka, and Medvedev remain high on the draw and will be favourites in their upcoming ties.
Day 4 reinforced the unpredictability and high drama of Melbourne’s first Grand Slam of the year — combining upsets, weather interruptions, and high-stakes matches that have set the stage for an enthralling third round.