Australian Open 2026: Qualifying Day 3 Highlights and Results
Melbourne Park, Australia – The tension at Melbourne Park reached fever pitch on Day 3 of the Australian Open 2026 Qualifying tournament. With the main draw tantalizingly close, players battled through grueling second-round encounters, delivering a day packed with home-grown heroism, veteran resilience, and the inevitable heartbreak of Grand Slam tennis.
Aussie Heroics: Kubler and Sweeny Reach Final Round
The home crowd at Kia Arena was treated to a masterclass in grit as Jason Kubler continued his inspiring return from injury. The 32-year-old Australian, who has fought his way back after a knee injury derailed his 2025 season, produced a clinical performance to defeat Lithuania’s 17th seed, Vilius Gaubas. Kubler fired nine aces and dictated play with his forehand to seal a 7-5, 6-2 victory. The win sets up a mouth-watering final-round clash against Belgian rising star Alexander Blockx, with a main draw spot on the line.
Matching Kubler’s energy was fellow Aussie Dane Sweeny, who lit up ANZ Arena with a thrilling win over Switzerland’s Jerome Kym. Sweeny, ranked No. 182, played with what he described as “courage and conviction” to record a straight-sets 6-4, 6-4 victory. The atmosphere was electric, with Sweeny later joking he had to ask Tournament Director Craig Tiley for extra accreditation to accommodate his “heaps of friends and family” in the raucous crowd. He now faces Italian veteran Stefano Travaglia for a place in the main draw.
However, not all news was good for the locals. The enigmatic Bernard Tomic saw his comeback run halted by Great Britain’s Arthur Fery, falling 6-4, 6-2. Similarly, James McCabe couldn’t replicate his first-round magic, going down in a three-set tussle to Norwegian 23rd seed Nicolai Budkov Kjaer, 4-6, 6-3, 7-6(6).
Stephens Stays on Course, Hunter Digs Deep
In the women’s draw, 2017 US Open champion Sloane Stephens showed her class in one of the day’s marquee matchups. Facing in-form Australian Olivia Gadecki, Stephens recovered from a slow start to win 3-6, 6-3, 6-3. The American saved seven of nine break points and kept her unforced errors low, frustrating her opponent in the deciding sets. “I’m just playing with no regrets,” Stephens said after the match, now just one win away from a main draw return.
Australian wildcard Storm Hunter also kept her dream alive with a gritty victory over Serbia’s Lola Radivojevic. Hunter, still on the comeback trail from an Achilles injury, edged out the 27th seed 6-4, 7-6(1) in a match that tested her physical and mental resolve. She moves on to the final round, looking to cap her return with a main draw berth.
Next Gen Stars Shine: Blockx, Prizmic, and Sakamoto
The next generation of ATP stars continued to make waves on Day 3. Belgium’s Alexander Blockx, a former junior champion at Melbourne Park, extended his winning streak to seven matches by demolishing Alex Molcan 6-1, 6-1. Blockx has yet to drop a set in qualifying and looks poised for a main draw debut.
Joining him in the winner’s circle was Croatian talent Dino Prizmic, who famously took a set off Novak Djokovic in 2024. Prizmic powered past Gustavo Heide 7-5, 6-2 to advance. Japan’s 19-year-old sensation Rei Sakamoto also impressed, defeating American Colton Smith 6-4, 6-4 to move into the final qualifying round.
Other Notable Results
- Mackenzie McDonald (USA): The American navigated a tough second set to beat Frenchman Hugo Grenier 7-6(4), 6-1, keeping his hopes of another deep Melbourne run alive.
- Pierre-Hugues Herbert (FRA): The doubles specialist showed his singles prowess by eliminating Gonzalo Bueno 7-5, 6-2.
- Coleman Wong (HKG): The young star from Hong Kong continued his fine form, defeating Pablo Llamas Ruiz 7-6(7), 6-0.
- Dusan Lajovic (SRB): The veteran Serbian used his experience to overcome Murphy Cassone 7-5, 6-3.
- Marina Bassols Ribera (ESP): Defeated Iryna Shymanovich 7-5, 6-1 to progress in the women’s draw.
With the final round of qualifying set for the next day, the stakes couldn’t be higher. Winners will earn their place in the 128-player main draw, while losers will be left hoping for a lucky loser spot or turning their attention to next year. All eyes will be on the likes of Stephens, Kubler, and Blockx as they look to punch their tickets to the first Grand Slam of 2026.
