De Minaur Lone Aussie Hope After Dramatic Day Four

It was a day of high drama and shifting fortunes at Melbourne Park as the 2026 Australian Open reached its fourth day, and the hopes of Australian tennis fans rested firmly on the shoulders of Alex de Minaur. With a packed schedule, rain delays, and intense matches, the local crowd was treated to a rollercoaster of emotions—ranging from disappointment as home favorites bowed out, to elation as De Minaur kept the Aussie flag flying into the third round.

Alex de Minaur, ever the determined competitor, found himself in a tricky spot against Serbia’s Hamad Medjedovic. The world number 90 pushed De Minaur to the limit in the opening set, snatching it in a tense tie-break. But if there’s one thing the Demon is known for, it’s resilience. "Just stayed patient, I weathered the storm," De Minaur told Jim Courier in his post-match interview, beaming with a mix of relief and pride. "He was playing some unbelievable tennis ... playing big and deep. But a five-set match makes it a long game. I had some chances and I'm glad I took them. I'm super happy with my level [right now]. The competition is only going to get tougher — and I'm up for the challenge."

After dropping the first set, De Minaur came out swinging in the second, leveling the match before Melbourne’s unpredictable weather intervened. A sudden downpour forced officials to close the roof on Rod Laver Arena, giving both players a chance to regroup. When play resumed, De Minaur looked revitalized. He swept through the third set 6-2, then cruised to a dominant 6-1 finish in the fourth. Medjedovic, who had tried to test De Minaur’s stamina with relentless rallies, simply couldn’t match the Australian’s pace and endurance as the match wore on.

With this victory, De Minaur became the only Australian—male or female—to progress to the third round on day four. The local crowd’s hopes now hinge on his next clash: a highly anticipated matchup against American Frances Tiafoe. Tiafoe, the 29th seed, had his own four-set battle earlier in the day, overcoming Argentina’s Francisco Comesana 6-4, 6-3, 4-6, 6-2 in just over three hours. Both men are known for their athleticism and baseline prowess, setting the stage for what promises to be a blockbuster encounter in the next round.

Unfortunately for Australian tennis fans, the rest of the day brought little cheer. Priscilla Hon, who had described playing on Rod Laver Arena as a “dream come true,” was unable to convert that excitement into victory. Facing the 29th seed Iva Jovic, an 18-year-old American on the rise, Hon fell 6-1, 6-2 in just over an hour. Despite a brief resurgence early in the second set, Hon couldn’t find a way past Jovic’s disciplined, controlled play. As the match slipped away, the disappointment was evident, but so too was the recognition that Hon had already achieved a milestone simply by reaching this stage.

It was a similar story for Jordan Thompson, Ajla Tomljanovic, Talia Gibson, and Storm Hunter—all of whom exited the tournament on a tough day for local hopes. The early rounds have been a stern test for the Australians, but there’s a sense that the tide may turn in the years to come. As reported in recent days, the so-called "Ash Barty effect" is beginning to bear fruit. Eight Australian women advanced to the second round of the Open— the most since 1992. Rising stars like Taylah Preston, who notched her first major win this week, and Talia Gibson, who reached the second round for the second consecutive year, are fueling optimism for the future.

Preston, now based in Brisbane and part of a close-knit group of young Aussie players, emphasized the camaraderie and mutual support among the nation’s emerging talents. “On the younger side, there’s probably me, Talia (Gibson), Maya (and) Emerson. We all get along really well,” she shared. “We all train up in Brisbane as well, so it is a really nice environment up there. We’re all really good friends. We want each other to do well. If we have a result, we always send each other a message (to say) ‘Well done’.”

While the focus was on the singles action, doubles fans had plenty to look forward to as well. An all-Australian men’s doubles clash featuring Thanasi Kokkinakis and Nick Kyrgios versus Jason Kubler and Marc Polmans was set to light up the afternoon, adding another layer of excitement for the home crowd.

Elsewhere on the courts, the world’s top seeds continued to assert their dominance. Aryna Sabalenka and Carlos Alcaraz, both among the favorites for the singles titles, advanced to the third round with commanding performances. Italian seventh seed Jasmine Paolini also booked her spot in the next round, dispatching Poland’s Magdalena Frech 6-2, 6-3 after two rain delays. Karolína Muchová of Czechia overcame American Alycia Parks in a three-set battle, and Alexander Zverev powered past Alexandre Muller to set up a third-round meeting with Cameron Norrie.

The day’s play was not without its share of drama and resilience. Dane Sweeny’s breakthrough win over Gael Monfils and James Duckworth’s late-night epic against Dino Prizmic earlier in the tournament have been shining examples of Aussie grit. Duckworth, who has battled through countless injuries in his career, can hold his head high after pushing through a grueling five-setter to remain in the top 100. Sweeny, too, is enjoying a breakthrough moment, proving that perseverance pays off in the end. “I was really questioning my game, questioning my journey on the court and questioning whether tennis is something I should be doing. But there was that voice deep down that knew I could do it if I kept going. This is just the beginning,” Sweeny reflected after his win.

As the sun set on day four, one thing was clear: while the present may be challenging for Australian tennis, the future is bright. The emergence of a new generation—spurred on by the legacy of Ash Barty and the never-say-die attitude of players like De Minaur—suggests that the nation’s tennis fortunes are on the upswing. With more local talent set to take the courts on day five, including Rinky Hijikata, Taylah Preston, Maddison Inglis, Dane Sweeny, and James Duckworth, fans will have plenty to cheer for as the tournament rolls on.

For now, though, all eyes are on Alex de Minaur. The Demon’s blend of tenacity and flair has made him a crowd favorite, and with each passing round, the dream of an Australian champion at Melbourne Park feels just a little closer. The action is far from over, and if today’s drama is any indication, there’s plenty more excitement in store at the 2026 Australian Open.