Melbourne, Jan 19 (.) The biggest obstacle to a much-anticipated Australian Open 2026 final between Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner may be emerging from outside the world’s top 10, with former world No.1 Daniil Medvedev signalling a strong resurgence at Melbourne Park.
A three-time Australian Open finalist in 2021, 2022 and 2024, Medvedev underlined his credentials as a genuine dark horse with a composed first-round victory over Jesper de Jong on Monday, winning 7-5, 6-2, 7-6(2) in two hours and 43 minutes.
Playing his trademark deep-court game at Margaret Court Arena, Medvedev combined patience with precision, covering the court with ease and dictating rallies from well behind the baseline. His 47th and final winner, a thumping forehand struck cleanly down the court, sealed the contest in emphatic fashion.
The win marked Medvedev’s first victory at a Grand Slam in over a year, following early exits at all four majors in 2025. After a disappointing US Open campaign last season, the Russian reshaped his support team, bringing in former Australian Open champion Thomas Johansson and coach Rohan Goetzke.
Since then, his form has improved markedly, with quarterfinal appearances in six of his last seven tournaments and two ATP 250 titles to his name. He also arrived in Melbourne after a title-winning run in Brisbane and remains unbeaten in Australia so far in 2026.
Medvedev now has 56 career wins at the Australian Open, second only to Novak Djokovic’s 66 over the past decade. If his progress continues, he is projected to meet Alexander Zverev in the quarterfinals and Sinner in the semifinals.
Medvedev will face Frenchman Quentin Halys in the second round after Halys defeated Chile’s Alejandro Tabilo in straight sets.
Elsewhere on Day 2, seventh seed Felix Auger-Aliassime’s tournament ended prematurely as the Canadian retired with severe cramping in his left leg during his first-round match against Portugal’s Nuno Borges. Borges was leading 6-3, 4-6, 6-4 when Auger-Aliassime withdrew.
Borges will next face Australian wildcard Jordan Thompson, who defeated Argentina’s Juan Manuel Cerundolo in four sets.
Russian eighth seed Andrey Rublev enjoyed a comfortable start to his campaign, easing past Italy’s Matteo Arnaldi 6-4, 6-2, 6-3 without dropping serve. Rublev struck 36 winners and will meet Portuguese qualifier Jaime Faria in the second round.
In other men’s singles action, 26th seed Learner Tien survived another marathon, defeating fellow American Marcos Giron in five sets, while 2014 champion Stan Wawrinka advanced in what he has indicated will be his final Australian Open appearance, overcoming Serbia’s Laslo Djere in four sets.
. . .