Former world number one Novak Djokovic delivered another masterclass performance, defeating 24th seed Jiri Lehecka 6-3, 6-4, 7-6(4) at Rod Laver Arena yesterday. His victory, lasting two hours and 39 minutes, means he has now equalled Roger Federer’s record of reaching 15 men’s singles quarter-finals at this hard-court major.
On the other hand, Jannik Sinner and Iga Swiatek are aiming for a spot in the Australian Open quarter-finals today. Meanwhile, the golden couple Gael Monfils and Elina Svitolina hope to extend their family journey.
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With his win, Djokovic now has a chance to face his fierce rival Alcaraz in a Grand Slam clash on a hard court. Alcaraz had previously led 7-5, 6-1 when Jack Draper retired from their fourth-round match. Djokovic currently leads Alcaraz 4-3 in their head-to-head series, though Alcaraz has won two of their three previous encounters at this major.
Defending Champion Sinner Eyes Fourth-Round Win
Defending champion Jannik Sinner comfortably won his third-round match in straight sets, but his next opponent, Holger Rune, was pushed to a five-set match for the second time in three rounds. Rune, the 13th seed from Denmark, will need to recover quickly before facing Sinner in the afternoon on Rod Laver Arena, where temperatures are expected to reach the 30s for the second consecutive day.
“I want to raise my level for the next match,” said Sinner.
Sabalenka Enters Her Third Consecutive Quarter-Final
World number one Aryna Sabalenka continued her strong run, beating Mira Andreeva 6-1, 6-2 to reach the quarter-finals of the Australian Open for the third consecutive year. This victory marked her 18th straight win at Melbourne Park, where she has now matched Victoria Azarenka’s record for the decade.
Gauff and Badosa to Clash in the Quarter-Finals
Coco Gauff came from a set down to beat Belinda Bencic 5-7, 6-2, 6-1 in the fourth round, securing her place in the quarter-finals of the Australian Open. She now holds a 9-0 win-loss record in 2025, becoming the first woman since Victoria Azarenka in 2012 to start a season with such a streak. Gauff will face Paula Badosa, who beat Olga Danilovic 6-1, 7-6(2). Their head-to-head record is tied at three wins each, although Gauff won two of their encounters last year.
Bopanna and Shuai in Mixed Doubles Quarter-Finals
Rohan Bopanna and Zhang Shuai reached the mixed doubles quarter-finals after their second-round opponents, Taylor Townsend and Hugo Nieves, withdrew from the match. The pair, who advanced without stepping onto the court, will face the winners of the match between Timea Babos/Marcelo Arevalo and Olivia Gadecki/John Peers.
Lucky Loser Eva Lys Faces Swiatek
Lucky loser Eva Lys had to cancel her flight out of Melbourne after an unexpected run to the fourth round. She will now face the in-form Iga Swiatek in the evening session. Swiatek, a five-time Grand Slam champion, has not faced a break point in her previous two matches and appears ready to challenge for her first Australian Open title.
Swiatek demolished 2021 US Open champion Emma Raducanu 6-1, 6-0 in her third-round match. Lys, ranked world number 128, is the first woman’s lucky loser to reach the fourth round since the event moved to Melbourne Park 37 years ago.
Other Round-Four Matches
American teenager Learner Tien, who defeated Daniil Medvedev in a thrilling five-set match (Australian Open 2025), will face Italy’s Lorenzo Sonego.
In other women’s singles action, sixth seed Elena Rybakina will face American Madison Keys. Rybakina has been dealing with a back injury after suffering a spasm in her third-round match.
Eighth-seeded American Emma Navarro, who has gone to three sets in every match so far, will try to outlast Russian ninth-seed Daria Kasatkina.