Australian Open 2026: Qualifying Day 2 Highlights and Results
Melbourne Park, Australia – The intensity of Grand Slam qualifying ramped up on Day 2 of the Australian Open 2026, as a mix of local hopes, rising stars, and seasoned veterans battled for survival. Under the Melbourne sun, crowds flocked to the outer courts to witness pivotal first-round clashes, with several Australians and international names making headlines.
Aussie Resurgence: Kubler and McCabe Thrill Home Crowd
The home fans had plenty to celebrate as Jason Kubler marked his return to Melbourne Park with a stirring victory. The world No. 192, who missed a significant portion of the 2025 season due to a knee injury, defeated Frenchman Harold Mayot 6-3, 6-4 on Kia Arena. It was Kubler’s first singles win at the venue in three years, a performance that hinted at a resurgence for the former world No. 63. Kubler’s aggressive baseline play and sharp movement were on full display, setting up a second-round encounter with 17th seed Vilius Gaubas of Lithuania.
Adding to the local joy, James McCabe delivered a standout performance on ANZ Arena—often dubbed the “Aussie court” for its history of launching careers like those of Alex de Minaur and Thanasi Kokkinakis. McCabe, ranked No. 173, overpowered fellow Australian wildcard Pavle Marinkov in straight sets, 6-2, 7-6(5). Firing 27 winners to Marinkov’s 10, McCabe controlled the tempo and held his nerve in a tight second-set tiebreak to secure the win. He will next face Norwegian 23rd seed Nicolai Budkov Kjaer.
Storm Hunter and Maya Joint Lead Women’s Charge
In the women’s draw, Storm Hunter continued her impressive comeback from an Achilles injury. The former doubles world No. 1 defeated Ekaterine Gorgodze 7-5, 6-3 in a match where her tactical versatility shone through. Hunter’s ability to transition to the net and mix up her shots frustrated her Georgian opponent, earning her a second-round spot against Serbia’s Lola Radivojevic.
Meanwhile, teenage sensation Maya Joint confirmed her status as a player to watch. The 19-year-old Australian No. 1 defeated 2020 Australian Open champion Sofia Kenin for the third time in her career. Joint’s 7-6(3), 6-4 victory in Adelaide was a massive statement, booking her a clash with compatriot Ajla Tomljanovic in the next round. Back in Melbourne, wildcard Elena Micic also advanced, overcoming France’s Carol Monnet in three sets, 6-4, 4-6, 6-1, to keep her main draw dreams alive.
Heartbreak for Hewitt and Rodionova
Not all stories had happy endings for the locals. Cruz Hewitt, son of Aussie legend Lleyton Hewitt, saw his campaign end in the first round for the second consecutive year. The 17-year-old fought hard but was ultimately outclassed by American Michael Zheng, losing 6-3, 6-3. Despite flashes of brilliance and a supportive crowd that included his famous parents, Hewitt was undone by 37 unforced errors compared to Zheng’s 14.
Veteran Arina Rodionova also suffered a tough loss. In a grueling three-set battle, she fell to Iryna Shymanovich 6-7(4), 7-5, 4-6. Rodionova fought valiantly to level the match but couldn’t sustain the momentum in the decider. Similarly, young wildcard Tahlia Kokkinis was unable to find her rhythm against the powerful Dutchwoman Anouk Koevermans, bowing out 3-6, 3-6.
International Highlights: McDonald and Blockx Advance
On the international front, American Mackenzie McDonald, famous for his upset of Rafael Nadal in 2023, navigated a tricky opener against Kazakhstan’s Dmitry Popko. McDonald rallied from a set down to win 6-7(4), 6-4, 7-5, showing his trademark grit and consistency.
Belgian rising star Alexander Blockx continued his ascent, defeating Italian veteran Marco Cecchinato 6-3, 6-4. The 20-year-old, a former junior champion at Melbourne Park, extended his winning streak to six matches, fresh off a Challenger title in Canberra. Another youngster, Spain’s Rafael Jodar, impressed with a dominant 6-2, 6-1 win over Australian Li Tu.
Other Notable Results
- Daniel Elahi Galan (COL) retired during his match against Hugo Grenier (FRA), handing the Frenchman a path to the second round.
- Elias Ymer (SWE) edged out Australian Alex Bolt in two tight tiebreaks, 7-6(5), 7-6(5).
- Stefano Travaglia (ITA) proved too strong for wildcard Blake Ellis, winning 6-3, 4-6, 6-1.
- Leandro Riedi (SUI) defeated 11th seed Jan Choinski 6-3, 6-4, marking a successful return from injury.
As the first round concludes, the stage is set for an electrifying second round, with several tantalizing matchups promising high-stakes drama as players vie for a place in the main draw.
