Men’s Singles: Favorites Find Form as Pressure Rises
Several top seeds stepped up with authority. Carlos Alcaraz looked increasingly comfortable on Rod Laver Arena, producing a clinical straight-sets victory over Corentin Moutet. Alcaraz controlled rallies from the baseline and dictated tempo throughout, sealing a convincing win to book his place in the fourth round without dropping a set.
Alexander Zverev also advanced, though his path was more demanding. Facing Britain’s Cameron Norrie, Zverev absorbed early resistance before raising his level in the latter stages. His strong serving and depth off both wings proved decisive as he closed out the match in four sets.
One of the day’s most talked-about matches came from Daniil Medvedev, who staged a dramatic comeback after falling two sets behind against Fabian Marozsan. Medvedev adjusted his positioning and increased consistency in longer rallies, eventually turning the momentum and winning in five sets, a performance that underlined his resilience in pressure situations.
Local fans had plenty to cheer as Alex de Minaur delivered a composed straight-sets win over Frances Tiafoe. De Minaur’s speed and court coverage neutralized Tiafoe’s power, allowing the Australian to progress confidently into the second week of his home Grand Slam.
Women’s Singles: Youth and Upsets Take Center Stage
The women’s draw produced one of the biggest surprises of the tournament so far. Teenager Iva Jovic claimed the standout result of the day by defeating Italian seed Jasmine Paolini. Jovic played fearless tennis, striking clean winners in key moments and holding her nerve in a tight second-set tiebreak to reach the Round of 16.
Another emerging name, Victoria Mboko, continued her impressive run by overcoming Clara Tauson in three sets. Mboko’s athleticism and shot variety helped her outlast her opponent in a match that showcased the depth of the next generation.
World No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka avoided any drama, powering through her third-round match with authority. Her aggressive return game and serving efficiency kept her firmly on course for a deep run. Meanwhile, Mirra Andreeva also advanced, maintaining the strong form that has made her one of the most closely watched young players in the draw.
Tournament Outlook
With the third round completed on January 23, the Australian Open 2026 moved into its decisive phase. Established stars held their ground, but the presence of fearless newcomers added unpredictability to both draws. As Melbourne Park prepared for the Round of 16, the blend of experience, resilience, and youthful ambition promised even bigger storylines in the days ahead.