Australian Open 2026 Day 2 Highlights: Djokovic hits Century Milestone, Swiatek and Gauff Advance, and Comeback Thrillers define the Day
Melbourne, Australia – Day 2 of the 2026 Australian Open delivered a spectacular mix of history-making milestones, commanding performances from title favorites, and dramatic upsets that kept the Melbourne Park crowds on the edge of their seats. On a day that saw the mercury rise, the tennis action was equally heating up as the first round of the men’s and women’s singles concluded.
Headline by Novak Djokovic’s historic 100th match win at the tournament and solid starts for Iga Swiatek and Coco Gauff, Monday’s play also featured heart-stopping comebacks from young stars Mirra Andreeva and Diana Shnaider. However, for the home crowd, the day was bittersweet, with Alex de Minaur cruising through while Alexei Popyrin suffered a heartbreaking five-set defeat.
Men’s Singles: Djokovic reigns Supreme, Popyrin falls in Epic
Novak Djokovic Creates History
The night session on Rod Laver Arena belonged to the 10-time champion, Novak Djokovic. Returning to his most successful hunting ground, the 38-year-old Serbian superstar looked imperious as he dispatched Spain’s Pedro Martinez 6-3, 6-2, 6-2. This victory was far more than just a routine first-round win; it marked Djokovic’s 100th career match victory at the Australian Open, a staggering achievement that further cements his legacy at the season-opening Grand Slam.
Djokovic, seeded fourth this year, displayed no signs of rust despite not playing a competitive match for over two months. He blasted 49 winners and moved with an agility that defied his years, controlling the court against Martinez, who struggled to find answers to the Serb’s precision. Speaking after the match, Djokovic reflected on his physical state, noting, “I’m using every hour that I can to get my body recovered and in shape for the next challenge,” while hinting at his satisfaction with his career achievements as he chases a record-breaking 25th major title. He will next face Italian qualifier Francesco Maestrelli.
De Minaur Delights the Locals
Earlier in the day, Australian No. 1 and sixth seed Alex de Minaur gave the home fans plenty to cheer about. Facing American “Lucky Loser” Mackenzie McDonald on Rod Laver Arena, de Minaur was clinical, securing a straight-sets victory, 6-2, 6-2, 6-3. De Minaur, carrying the hopes of a nation, absorbed McDonald’s pace and countered with his trademark speed and flat hitting. The comfortable win sets him up for a deep run, as he looks to improve on his previous best results at his home slam.
Medvedev and Ruud Advance
Daniil Medvedev, the 11th seed and a three-time finalist in Melbourne, navigated a tricky opener against Dutch player Jesper de Jong. Medvedev triumphed 7-5, 6-2, 7-6(2), though he had to recover from being broken twice while serving for the match in the third set. “I think in general I played pretty well, but there were moments… where I could have played better,” Medvedev admitted, acknowledging the need to sharpen his serve as the tournament progresses.
Over on Margaret Court Arena, 12th seed Casper Ruud produced a solid performance to defeat Italy’s Mattia Bellucci 6-1, 6-2, 6-4. Ruud, often underestimated on hard courts, showed great intent, saving match points against him? No, wait—Bellucci was the one under pressure. Ruud dominated the early proceedings and held firm in the third set to book his spot in the second round.
Heartbreak for Popyrin
The drama of the day unfolded in the match featuring Australian Alexei Popyrin and France’s Alexandre Muller. In a marathon five-set battle that lasted nearly four hours, Popyrin fell agonizingly short, losing 2-6, 6-3, 3-6, 7-6(5), 7-6(10-4). Popyrin led 4-2 in the fourth set and 5-2 in the tiebreak, but could not close out the match. Suffering from a calf issue that required a medical timeout, he fought bravely to force a deciding match tiebreak but ultimately ran out of steam, handing Muller the biggest win of his career. Muller will now face Alexander Zverev in the next round.
Other Notable Men’s Results
- Tommy Paul (19) defeated Aleksandar Kovacevic 6-4, 6-3, 6-3 in an all-American clash.
- Alejandro Davidovich Fokina (14) breezed past Filip Misolic 6-2, 6-3, 6-3.
- Quentin Halys took down Alejandro Tabilo 6-2, 6-2, 7-6.
- Francesco Maestrelli (Q) defeated Terence Atmane in four sets, winning 6-4, 3-6, 7-6, 6-1.
Women’s Singles: Swiatek and Gauff through, Comebacks Stun Seeds
Swiatek Tested by Qualifier
World No. 2 Iga Swiatek began her quest for a first Australian Open title with a straight-sets win, but it was far from simple. She defeated Chinese qualifier Yuan Yue 7-6(5), 6-3. Swiatek, who has never moved past the semifinals in Melbourne, struggled to find her rhythm early on, forced into a tiebreak in the first set. She eventually composed herself to take the second set more comfortably, but the performance suggested she is still adjusting to the Melbourne conditions. Swiatek’s path is fraught with danger, but her ability to win when not playing her best remains a hallmark of her champion mentality.
Gauff Cruises Past Rakhimova
In contrast, third seed Coco Gauff looked sharp in her opening match on Rod Laver Arena. The American star defeated Kamilla Rakhimova 6-2, 6-3. Gauff, a semifinalist here two years ago, was efficient on serve and aggressive on return. Despite some minor struggles, she closed out the match in straight sets. “It’s like a fine line of playing like your life depends on it but also not playing like your life depends on it,” Gauff remarked about her mindset for the tournament.
The Youth Movement: Andreeva and Shnaider Fight Back
Two of the most compelling narratives of Day 2 came from young guns Mirra Andreeva and Diana Shnaider, who both staged remarkable comebacks from a set down against dangerous opponents.
Eighth seed Mirra Andreeva, fresh off a title in Adelaide, found herself trailing against the powerful Donna Vekic. However, the teenage sensation showcased her resilience, winning the last seven games of the match to triumph 4-6, 6-3, 6-0. Her ability to reset and dismantle an experienced opponent like Vekic in the decider highlights why she is considered a future major winner.
Similarly, 23rd seed Diana Shnaider faced a stern test against two-time Grand Slam champion Barbora Krejcikova. Krejcikova, returning from injury, played a flawless first set, hitting 15 winners. However, Shnaider refused to fold. As Krejcikova’s movement was hampered by a leg injury in the third set, Shnaider capitalized, hitting breathtaking winners to seal a 3-6, 6-3, 6-3 victory. Shnaider described the match as “unreal,” admitting she had to simply stay in the contest while Krejcikova was playing “incredible” tennis.
Other Notable Women’s Results
- Elise Mertens defeated Lanlana Tararude 7-5, 6-1, avoiding an upset after a tight first set.
- Victoria Mboko [17] was also in action, with reports indicating she moved through to the second round.
- K. Muchova [19] was listed in the draw, facing N. Budkov Kjaera, though specific scorelines were still updating.
Tournament Key Features: Australian Open 2026
As the first Grand Slam of the year, the Australian Open sets the tone for the tennis season. Here are the key details that define the 2026 edition:
Dates and Venue
- Dates: The tournament runs for two weeks, from Sunday, January 18 to Sunday, February 1, 2026.
- Venue: The event is held at the iconic Melbourne Park in Melbourne, Victoria, featuring famous arenas like Rod Laver Arena, Margaret Court Arena, and John Cain Arena. The surface is hard court (GreenSet).
Record-Breaking Prize Money
The 2026 tournament features a historic prize money pool, emphasizing Tennis Australia’s commitment to the players.
- Total Prize Pool: AUD $111.5 million, a 16% increase from the previous year.
- Singles Champions: The winners of the men’s and women’s singles will each receive AUD $4.15 million.
- Runner-Up: Finalists will take home AUD $2.15 million.
- Early Rounds: Even players exiting in the first round receive AUD $150,000, ensuring financial sustainability for lower-ranked competitors.
Ranking Points
As a Grand Slam, the Australian Open offers the highest bracket of ranking points:
- Winner: 2000 points (ATP/WTA).
- Runner-Up: 1300 points (ATP/WTA).
- Semifinalist: 800 points (ATP) / 780 points (WTA).
With Day 2 in the books, the stage is set for an enthralling fortnight of tennis. As legends like Djokovic continue to rewrite history and new stars like Andreeva and Shnaider rise to the occasion, the 2026 Australian Open promises to be a tournament to remember.
