Alcaraz EASES into Round 4 as Sabalenka and Gauff SURVIVE scares | Australian Open 2026

Day 6 in Melbourne didn’t disappoint with Carlos Alcaraz entertaining the crowds with magician in the making Coretin Moutet and Daniil Medvedev becoming the first player this year to win from 2 sets to 0 down to set up a mouthwatering rematch against his 2025 conqueror Learner Tien. Aussie home hope Alex de Minaur continued to impress as he took out Frances Tiafoe in the night session but will face a tougher test against in the battle of the Alexanders when he plays Bublik in Round 4.

On the women’s side Iva Jovic got the biggest win of her career when she took out Jasmine Paolini to make her first fourth round and fellow teenagers Mirra Andreeva and Victoria Mboko will join her in the second week in Melbourne. Trying to stop the rise of the teenager will be Aryan Sabalenka who faces Mboko in a mouthwatering clash of experience vs youth. She had a tough time against Potopova but survived in two tight tiebreak sets to progress. Also less than convincing was Coco Gauff who rallied to defeat countrywoman Hailey Baptiste in three sets.

Also on the discussion table are the soaring temperatures expected in Australia on Saturday and the change in schedule to move matches forward. Joel and Chris discuss if this is the right move and if it is fair for all the players…

AO Travel & Experiences

Learn more and book your tickets through AO Travel & Experiences at ausopentravel.com

SOCIALS

.com.

MERCH

Purchase Tennis Weekly Merch through our Etsy store including limited edition designs by Krippa Design where all proceeds go towards the podcast so we can keep doing what we do!
tinyurl.com/56psxbxb

REVIEWS

***Please take a moment to rate and review the show on Apple Podcasts, Spotify or wherever you get your pods. It really means a lot to us at HQ and helps make it easier for new listeners to discover us. Thanks!***

00:00 - Intro
01:17 - AD AO Travel & Experiences
02:53 - Swiatek hindrance debate revisit
04:27 - Osaka 'come on's' between serves
06:05 - Alcaraz hits 100 grand slam matches
10:50 - Medvedev back from two sets down
13:15 - Zverev defeats Norrie
17:18 - Alex de Minaur through in straight sets
21:12 - Rublev out
23:40 - AO Schedule change for 40 degree weather
29:15 - Sabalenka surives
32:21 - Mboko vs Sabalenka is ON
35:45 - Iva Jovic upsets Paolini
37:00 - Svitolina into R4
39:16 - Yulia Putintseva takes on crowd
40:45 - Day 7 Preview and predictions
39:11 - Day 2 Preview