12 h. ago How Alex de Minaur can beat Carlos Alcaraz in Australian Open quarter

The home favourite has taken his speed and returns to new levels in Melbourne, but it’s his serve that will be key against world No 1 Alex de Minaur went into his quarter-final with Jannik Sinner at the 2025 Australian Open hopeful that he could make life difficult for the defending champion. Not only did that not happen, but the manner of his one-sided defeat left him wondering if he really had the game to trouble the top players.Fast forward a year and the Australian again finds himself in the last eight, again facing one of the sport’s superstars, this time Carlos Alcaraz. As with Sinner, the head to head doesn’t make pretty reading for De Minaur, with Alcaraz leading 5-0. This, though, is their first grand slam meeting and there is a growing feeling that things can be different. Continue reading...

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38 h. ago Australian Open 2026: Svitolina beats Andreeva, De Minaur to face Alcaraz after Bublik win – live

Updates from the evening session at Melbourne Park Alcaraz beats Paul | Follow us on Bluesky | Mail KatyFirst set: De Minaur* 1-1 Bublik (*next server)De Minaur is playing in the fourth round for the fifth consecutive year - a feat that not even Hewitt, Mark Philippoussis and Pat Rafter achieved at their home slam – but he’s never been past the quarter-finals. Which largely sums up his career: he’s so consistent in beating the players he’s expected to, but is underpowered against the very best. De Minaur does send a bullet of a backhand winner down the line to get to deuce on Bublik’s serve, though. But two errors then give the Kazakhstani the game. Continue reading...

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38 h. ago Carlos Alcaraz serves up lesson with Australian Open dismissal of Paul

World No 1 claims 7-6 (6), 6-4, 7-5 victory over 19th seedPlayer been making significant changes to service motionCarlos Alcaraz spent the final 52 minutes of his fourth-round match at the Australian Open chasing down his prey, determined to convert his two-set lead into a straightforward win against Tommy Paul.As he worked hard to secure the decisive break in set three, Alcaraz put together a flawless serving performance. He won 86% of his first serve points in the set, landing 76% of his first serves. He did not even come close to facing a break point, losing just five service points in total. Alcaraz, the world No 1, closed out his 7-6 (6), 6-4, 7-5 win over the 19th seed Paul with an unreturned serve. Continue reading...

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39 h. ago Australian Open 2026: Svitolina v Andreeva, De Minaur to face Alcaraz after Bublik win – live

Updates from the evening session at Melbourne Park Alcaraz beats Paul | Follow us on Bluesky | Mail KatyFirst set: De Minaur* 1-1 Bublik (*next server)De Minaur is playing in the fourth round for the fifth consecutive year - a feat that not even Hewitt, Mark Philippoussis and Pat Rafter achieved at their home slam – but he’s never been past the quarter-finals. Which largely sums up his career: he’s so consistent in beating the players he’s expected to, but is underpowered against the very best. De Minaur does send a bullet of a backhand winner down the line to get to deuce on Bublik’s serve, though. But two errors then give the Kazakhstani the game. Continue reading...

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40 h. ago Australian Open 2026: De Minaur to face Alcaraz after Bublik win, Medvedev crashes out – live

Updates from the evening session at Melbourne Park Alcaraz beats Paul | Follow us on Bluesky | Mail KatyFirst set: De Minaur* 1-1 Bublik (*next server)De Minaur is playing in the fourth round for the fifth consecutive year - a feat that not even Hewitt, Mark Philippoussis and Pat Rafter achieved at their home slam – but he’s never been past the quarter-finals. Which largely sums up his career: he’s so consistent in beating the players he’s expected to, but is underpowered against the very best. De Minaur does send a bullet of a backhand winner down the line to get to deuce on Bublik’s serve, though. But two errors then give the Kazakhstani the game. Continue reading...

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44 h. ago Carlos Alcaraz overcomes spirited Tommy Paul to reach Australian Open quarter

World No 1 claims 7-6 (6), 6-4, 7-5 victory over 19th seed Alcaraz recovers from slow start to navigate first real test at tournamentCarlos Alcaraz continued to build momentum in his pursuit of the career grand slam as he navigated a slow start and pushed through his first test at the Australian Open to reach the quarter-finals with a 7-6 (6), 6-4, 7-5 win over the 19th seed Tommy Paul. Alcaraz, the world No 1, has now reached the quarter-finals at Melbourne Park for three consecutive years and this is his first time doing so without dropping a set.Having already won each of the three other grand slam tournaments twice, he will be attempting to break new ground by reaching the semi-finals of the Australian Open for the first time in his career. Things were far from easy for Alcaraz, who has played many tough matches with Paul over the past four years, losing to the American twice in their seven meetings. Continue reading...

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47 h. ago Australian Open 2026: Alcaraz takes on Paul in fourth round; Sabalenka defeats brave Mboko

Carlos Alcaraz meets Tommy Paul as cooler day brings relief from heat Updates from Sunday’s day session at Melbourne Park | Email JoeyThis is the first-ever meeting between Sabalenka and 19-year-old rising star Mboko.“I think it’s super cool,” Mboko said in the build-up. “I’ve never played a current number one in the world. That’s going to be a very different experience. I assume we’d be playing on Rod Laver, as well. I’ve never played on a Grand Slam centre court either. A lot of firsts. I’m just really excited. It’s something not many people get to experience. To be doing that on Sunday is, I think, really cool. Just to show what I got.” Continue reading...

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48 h. ago Australian Open 2026: Sabalenka defeats brave Mboko; Alcaraz takes on Paul

Carlos Alcaraz meets Tommy Paul as cooler day brings relief from heat Updates from Sunday’s day session at Melbourne Park | Email JoeyThis is the first-ever meeting between Sabalenka and 19-year-old rising star Mboko.“I think it’s super cool,” Mboko said in the build-up. “I’ve never played a current number one in the world. That’s going to be a very different experience. I assume we’d be playing on Rod Laver, as well. I’ve never played on a Grand Slam centre court either. A lot of firsts. I’m just really excited. It’s something not many people get to experience. To be doing that on Sunday is, I think, really cool. Just to show what I got.” Continue reading...

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50 h. ago Australian Open 2026: Sabalenka and Alcaraz in action as cooler day brings relief from heat

Aryna Sabalenka takes on Victoria Mboko; Carlos Alcaraz to face Tommy Paul Updates from Sunday’s day session at Melbourne Park | Email JoeyDissipating heat, however, doesn’t mean that the environmental challenges are completely absent today. A smoke haze has blanketed Melbourne since yesterday, as winds blew down the smoke from a fire in the Otway ranges which has grown to about 8000 hectares overnight.Air quality alerts have been issued across Melbourne, Geelong and the surrounding regions, while a a total fire ban remains in place for the Northern Country, North Central, North East, and Gippsland fire districts. Continue reading...

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3 d. ago Australian Open 2026: Alcaraz eases into fourth round after Sabalenka wins tense match – live

Spain’s Carlos Alcaraz defeats Corentin Moutet of France in three sets after women’s No 1 Aryna Sabalenka also progressedSabalenka (1) 5-6 7-6 (7-4) Potapova* Potapova moves ahead. Wowee.Hawkeye shows us that the barest of margins has seen her go long to give up the first point but she brings it back level on the next after an unforced error from Sabalenka. A big forearm winner then gets the Austrian ahead, which is followed by a backhand driven beyond Sabalenka and a big serve that cannot be returned to tee up the hold. Continue reading...

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3 d. ago Australian Open 2026: Alcaraz in action after Sabalenka wins tense match – live

Updates from day six at Melbourne Park Men’s No 1 faces Moutet on Rod Laver Arena Any thoughts? Get in touch with an emailSabalenka (1) 5-6 7-6 (7-4) Potapova* Potapova moves ahead. Wowee.Hawkeye shows us that the barest of margins has seen her go long to give up the first point but she brings it back level on the next after an unforced error from Sabalenka. A big forearm winner then gets the Austrian ahead, which is followed by a backhand driven beyond Sabalenka and a big serve that cannot be returned to tee up the hold. Continue reading...

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3 d. ago Australian Open 2026: Sabalenka wins tense match; Medvedev, Alcaraz and Gauff in action – live

Updates from day six at Melbourne Park Women’s and men’s No 1s on Rod Laver Arena Any thoughts? Get in touch with an emailSabalenka (1) 5-6 7-6 (7-4) Potapova* Potapova moves ahead. Wowee.Hawkeye shows us that the barest of margins has seen her go long to give up the first point but she brings it back level on the next after an unforced error from Sabalenka. A big forearm winner then gets the Austrian ahead, which is followed by a backhand driven beyond Sabalenka and a big serve that cannot be returned to tee up the hold. Continue reading...

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4 d. ago Australian Open 2026: Sabalenka, Medvedev, Alcaraz and Gauff in action – live

Updates from day six at Melbourne Park Women’s and men’s No 1s on Rod Laver Arena Any thoughts? Get in touch with an emailSabalenka (1) 5-4 7-6 (7-4) Potapova* And just like that, Sabalenka reasserts her control.A nice drop shot from Sabalenka sees her move ahead but Potapova answers back, a point that is met by the top seed changing her racquet. The Austrian is then able to move ahead herself, only to be immediately pegged back by a magnificent forehand return that she’s left chasing across the court. Continue reading...

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5 d. ago Carlos Alcaraz marches on at Australian Open after golfing with Roger Federer

World No 1 eases to 7-6 (4), 6-3, 6-2 win over HanfmannBritain’s Cameron Norrie holds nerve against NavaCarlos Alcaraz’s preparations for his second-round victory at the Australian Open included a round of golf in Melbourne with Roger Federer, whose abilities off the tee he praised following a 7-6 (4), 6-3, 6-2 win over Yannick Hanfmann.“It’s as beautiful as his tennis,” Alcaraz said of Federer’s golf swing. “I’m not surprised. It’s unbelievable. Everything he does, he does in style, really beautiful. On the golf course, it’s a really beautiful swing.” Continue reading...

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5 d. ago Australian Open 2026: Alcaraz wins in straight sets after Sabalenka eases through – live reaction

Live updates from the day session at Melbourne Park Men’s and women’s No 1s progress to third round Any thoughts? Get in touch with an emailSabalenka (1) 2-0 Bai* Bai starts with a slower second serve which Sabalenka easily returns and Bai meekly hits her backhand into the net. Bai is clearly nowhere near Sabalenka’s level. The Belarusian takes the second game and Bai hasn’t got a point yet.*Sabalenka (1) 1-0 Bai Sabalenka dominates from the get-go. Hitting two backhand winners off Bai’s serve return. She’s loud and looking confident. Make that three, Bai doesn’t even bother stretching to reach it. And the first game is done and dust in slightly over two minutes as Sabalenka fires down a forehand which Bai flails towards but can’t make any contact. Continue reading...

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5 d. ago Raducanu v Potapova live: Australian Open latest score updates as British No 1 loses first set tiebreak

Raducanu returns to action with top seed Aryna Sabalenka waiting for the winner in the third round

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5 d. ago Australian Open 2026: Alcaraz in action after Sabalenka eases through – live

Live updates from the day session at Melbourne Park Men’s No 1 plays Hanfmann on Rod Laver Arena Any thoughts? Get in touch with an emailSabalenka (1) 2-0 Bai* Bai starts with a slower second serve which Sabalenka easily returns and Bai meekly hits her backhand into the net. Bai is clearly nowhere near Sabalenka’s level. The Belarusian takes the second game and Bai hasn’t got a point yet.*Sabalenka (1) 1-0 Bai Sabalenka dominates from the get-go. Hitting two backhand winners off Bai’s serve return. She’s loud and looking confident. Make that three, Bai doesn’t even bother stretching to reach it. And the first game is done and dust in slightly over two minutes as Sabalenka fires down a forehand which Bai flails towards but can’t make any contact. Continue reading...

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6 d. ago Australian Open 2026: Sabalenka eases through before Alcaraz hits the court – live

Live updates from the day session at Melbourne Park Women’s and men’s No 1s on Rod Laver Arena Any thoughts? Get in touch with an emailSabalenka (1) 2-0 Bai* Bai starts with a slower second serve which Sabalenka easily returns and Bai meekly hits her backhand into the net. Bai is clearly nowhere near Sabalenka’s level. The Belarusian takes the second game and Bai hasn’t got a point yet.*Sabalenka (1) 1-0 Bai Sabalenka dominates from the get-go. Hitting two backhand winners off Bai’s serve return. She’s loud and looking confident. Make that three, Bai doesn’t even bother stretching to reach it. And the first game is done and dust in slightly over two minutes as Sabalenka fires down a forehand which Bai flails towards but can’t make any contact. Continue reading...

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6 d. ago Australian Open 2026: Sabalenka and Alcaraz in action on day four – live

Live updates from the day session at Melbourne Park Women’s and men’s No 1s on Rod Laver Arena Any thoughts? Get in touch with an emailSabalenka (1) 2-0 Bai* Bai starts with a slower second serve which Sabalenka easily returns and Bai meekly hits her backhand into the net. Bai is clearly nowhere near Sabalenka’s level. The Belarusian takes the second game and Bai hasn’t got a point yet.*Sabalenka (1) 1-0 Bai Sabalenka dominates from the get-go. Hitting two backhand winners off Bai’s serve return. She’s loud and looking confident. Make that three, Bai doesn’t even bother stretching to reach it. And the first game is done and dust in slightly over two minutes as Sabalenka fires down a forehand which Bai flails towards but can’t make any contact. Continue reading...

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8 d. ago Australian Open 2026: Alcaraz, Raducanu and Sabalenka ease through on day one – live

The first grand slam of 2026 is under way in Melbourne Britain’s Fery delivers upset with win over seed Cobolli Follow us over on Bluesky | Get in touch: email DanielI’m not sure why, but I can’t get commentary on Bublik v Brooksby, which isn’t helpful, but Bublik leads 3-1; Tiafoe is up a break in set three, so at 4-2 is only two games away from seeing off Kubler; Zheng leads Korda by a break at 4-3 in the fifth; and Norrie is up a set on Bonzi, but serving to stay in the second at 4-5.We’re away on Laver, Sabalenka in dayglo straight out of 1989 and Rakotomanga Rajaonah immediately makes 0-30 on her serve. Oh! And when the champ swats a backhand long, she’s down three break points! All three are saved, but then the underdog raises a fourth on advantage, thrashes a deep return, and Sabalenka nets a forehand! Rakotomanga Rajaonah need only hold five times and she’s a set up! Er yeah, let’s see Continue reading...

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