On a day that started with slim odds and ended with a roar of triumph, Kamil Majchrzak delivered one of the most thrilling performances of the ATP 250 Brisbane International 2026 so far. The Polish tennis player, ranked 59th in the ATP rankings, entered the main draw as a lucky loser, a position that rarely spells deep tournament runs. But Majchrzak’s path in Brisbane has been anything but ordinary, and his gritty victories have electrified fans and shaken up the draw.
Majchrzak’s journey to the main event was a rollercoaster in itself. In the qualifying rounds, he managed a hard-fought win over local Australian hopeful Cruz Hewitt, ranked 735 ATP and 70th in the ITF under-18 rankings, with a scoreline of 6:4, 7:5. However, his momentum seemed to stall in the following round, where he lost to France’s Quentin Halys (91 ATP) 6:1, 6:7 (5), 4:6. It appeared Majchrzak’s Brisbane adventure would end there. But fate had other plans.
When Italy’s Matteo Arnaldi (61 ATP) withdrew from the main draw after being unable to compete, Majchrzak was handed a golden ticket into the tournament as a lucky loser. And boy, did he seize the opportunity!
His first-round opponent was no slouch: Daniel Altmaier, ranked 44th in the world. The match began on a shaky note for the Pole, who failed to capitalize on an early break point and then lost his serve, quickly falling behind 0:2. But Majchrzak clawed his way back, breaking Altmaier in the seventh game to level the score. The set ultimately went to a tiebreak, where Majchrzak showed nerves of steel, taking it 7:4. From there, the second set was all Majchrzak. He broke the German three times, steamrolling to a 6:0 finish and booking his spot in the round of 16.
That’s where the real drama began. Facing American Reilly Opelka (60 ATP), a giant on serve and a formidable opponent, Majchrzak found himself in a marathon duel that tested both his physical and mental limits. The match was a serving masterclass from Opelka, who hammered down an astonishing 44 aces. The first set saw neither player able to break serve, and Opelka snatched the tiebreak 7:2. The second set followed a similar script, with both men holding serve throughout. In the tiebreak, it was Majchrzak’s turn to shine. Down a match point at 5:6, he dug deep, saved it, and eventually claimed the tiebreak 9:7.
The decisive third set was a nerve-jangler. Opelka saved the first break point of the match at 0:1 and Majchrzak missed two more opportunities at 4:5. Once again, the set went to a tiebreak. Opelka surged ahead 6:4, holding two match points, but Majchrzak refused to surrender. He saved both, then completed a stunning comeback to win the tiebreak 10:8. The victory wasn’t just a testament to his resilience—it was a statement to the rest of the field. According to the official match statistics, Majchrzak saved three match points and overcame one of the most powerful servers on the tour. It was a match that will surely be remembered by tennis fans for its intensity and drama.
“I just kept telling myself to stay in the moment and fight for every point,” Majchrzak reflected after the match, his relief and satisfaction palpable. “It’s never over until the last ball is played, and today, that belief really paid off.”
With this victory, Majchrzak advances to the quarterfinals, where he’s set to face none other than Daniil Medvedev, the tournament’s top seed and world number 13. Medvedev, a perennial favorite and Grand Slam champion, cruised through his earlier rounds, dispatching Marton Fucsovics 6:2, 6:3 in the first round and then overcoming Frances Tiafoe 6:3, 6:2 in the second. The upcoming clash between Majchrzak and Medvedev promises to be a fascinating contest of styles, with the underdog Pole brimming with confidence and the Russian star looking to assert his dominance.
The Brisbane International has already seen its share of upsets and close calls. Other notable results from the first two rounds include Jiří Lehečka’s retirement against Sebastian Korda, and a trio of tight three-setters featuring Alex Michelsen, Grégoire Barrère, and Grégoire Mpetshi Perricard. The tournament’s unpredictability has kept fans on their toes—and Majchrzak’s run is a big part of that excitement.
Majchrzak’s campaign in Brisbane hasn’t been limited to singles. He also teamed up with Argentina’s Camilo Ugo Carabelli in the doubles draw. Their initial match-up was supposed to be against Alejandro Davidovich Fokina and Jiří Lehečka, but that pair withdrew, giving Majchrzak and Ugo Carabelli a pass to the next round. There, however, their run came to an end at the hands of Americans Tommy Paul and Ethan Quinn, who prevailed 4:6, 6:4, 6:10 in a closely contested match.
The Polish player’s performance in Brisbane marks a remarkable start to his 2026 season. Entering the main draw as a lucky loser is never easy—often, it means a player is coming off a disappointing loss and must quickly regroup. For Majchrzak, it’s become a launchpad for some of his best tennis. His resilience under pressure, especially against Opelka, has certainly caught the attention of fans and analysts alike. As one commentator put it, “Majchrzak’s nerves are made of steel—what a comeback!”
Looking ahead, all eyes are on the upcoming quarterfinal showdown with Medvedev. It’s a tall order for the Polish underdog, but if his recent matches are any indication, he’s more than ready for the challenge. Can Majchrzak keep his Cinderella story alive against the top seed, or will Medvedev’s class and experience prove too much?
As the ATP 250 Brisbane International heads into its decisive stages, the tournament has already delivered plenty of drama and unforgettable moments. For Kamil Majchrzak, the journey continues—and with each match, he’s proving that sometimes, the luck of the draw is just the beginning of a much bigger story.