De Minaur Dominates Bublik To Set Up Alcaraz Showdown

On a sweltering evening at Melbourne’s iconic Rod Laver Arena, Alex de Minaur delivered a scintillating performance that left his home crowd roaring and his opponent, Kazakhstan’s Alexander Bublik, searching for answers. The stakes were high: a coveted spot in the Australian Open quarterfinals and a chance to take on world No. 1 Carlos Alcaraz. De Minaur, often dubbed “the Demon” for his relentless energy and fighting spirit, showed why he’s earned that nickname, dismantling Bublik 6-4, 6-1, 6-1 in just 1 hour and 32 minutes.

Coming into this fourth-round clash on January 25, 2026, the narrative was anything but straightforward. Bublik had gotten the better of de Minaur in their last two showdowns in 2025, including a dramatic comeback at Roland-Garros. “That day, Bublik offered zero resistance for two sets, then unleashed an extraordinary display that took the racquet out of the Australian’s hands,” recalled Marc McGowan. De Minaur himself admitted after that match that he’d been suffering from burnout, making this rematch a true test of both form and resilience.

But from the opening exchanges, it was clear de Minaur had put the past behind him. The Aussie’s serve, which had been under scrutiny in the lead-up, held strong. Bublik did his best to push de Minaur behind the baseline, trying to neutralize the Australian’s speed and ability to rush opponents. The first set was a tightly contested affair, with both players trading blows and games reaching deuce on multiple occasions. At 4-4, tension mounted as Bublik threatened to break, but de Minaur’s steely defensive backhand forced Bublik into a netted half-volley, swinging momentum firmly in the home favorite’s direction.

Once de Minaur seized the opening set 6-4, history was on his side. According to Nine’s broadcast, “de Minaur is 16-0 when he wins the first set at the Australian Open.” That stat proved prophetic as the match quickly shifted from a battle to a rout. The Australian raced to a 3-0 lead in the second set, leaving Bublik scrambling for solutions. The Kazakhstani, known for his quirky style and unpredictable shot selection, tried to employ drop shots and aggressive baseline play but failed to earn a single break point across all three sets—a testament to de Minaur’s consistency and focus.

The point-by-point breakdown from the match underscores just how dominant de Minaur was. He weathered early pressure, including four straight service games in the first set where he fell behind 0-15, but never let Bublik capitalize. Once he found his rhythm, the Demon was everywhere—chasing down balls, counter-punching with venom, and exploiting every opening. The scorelines of the final two sets, both 6-1, were a fair reflection of his supremacy. The entire contest lasted a mere 1 hour and 32 minutes, with de Minaur never looking back after that pivotal first set.

For Bublik, it was a night to forget. Despite his reputation as a giant-killer and his recent victories over de Minaur, he simply couldn’t get a foothold in the match. Not earning a single break point is rare at this stage of a Grand Slam, especially for a player of Bublik’s caliber. The Kazakh’s frustration was evident as he struggled to execute his trademark drop shots and aggressive tactics, often being forced into errors by de Minaur’s dogged defense and quick transitions.

The match’s context added to the drama. With the Australian summer in full force, extreme heat warnings loomed over the tournament. Fortunately, the de Minaur-Bublik clash was scheduled for the night session, sparing both players from the worst of the daytime temperatures. Looking ahead, however, the forecast for Tuesday’s quarterfinals is for more punishing heat. Tournament organizers are expected to slot the marquee matchup between de Minaur and Alcaraz into the evening, a move that should help both players bring their best tennis without battling the elements.

And what a matchup it promises to be. Carlos Alcaraz, the reigning world No. 1, has proven to be de Minaur’s nemesis on tour. The two have met five times previously, with Alcaraz emerging victorious on every occasion. That head-to-head record looms large, but if de Minaur’s current form is any indication, he’s more than ready to rewrite the script. “De Minaur will need to go to a level he has never managed before if his title dream is to become a reality this fortnight,” observed one analyst, highlighting the magnitude of the challenge ahead.

De Minaur’s journey to the quarterfinals has been marked by growing international respect. His straight-sets win over Frances Tiafoe in the previous round was described as “arguably his best performance ever at Melbourne Park.” Against Bublik, he raised the bar even higher, blending tactical intelligence with raw athleticism. The Australian’s ability to neutralize Bublik’s drop shots—a weapon that had troubled previous opponents—was especially impressive. “Expect Bublik, like de Minaur’s previous opponent Frances Tiafoe, to use the drop shot regularly. But Bublik will need to execute at a higher level because de Minaur dealt with Tiafoe’s attempts with little fuss,” wrote Marc McGowan in the lead-up to the match. That prediction proved spot-on.

For the Rod Laver Arena faithful, de Minaur’s victory was more than just another win; it was a statement of intent. The crowd, always eager to get behind an Aussie contender, responded with raucous applause and chants, fueling their man’s relentless charge. The energy in the stadium was electric, especially as the scoreline grew more lopsided and the possibility of a deep run at his home Slam came into sharper focus.

As the dust settles on this emphatic victory, all eyes turn to Tuesday night’s blockbuster quarterfinal. Can de Minaur finally break his duck against Alcaraz and continue his dream run? Or will the Spanish sensation maintain his dominance? One thing’s for sure: with the form and confidence de Minaur is displaying, no challenge looks insurmountable. The Australian Open’s second week just got a whole lot more interesting.

With the quarterfinal looming and the home crowd firmly behind him, de Minaur stands on the brink of a potential breakthrough. The Demon has never looked more ready for the fight of his life under the Melbourne lights.