Australian Open 2026 Men’s Day 2

Daniil Medvedev, who won only one match at a major during the 2025 season, started this season with a solid victory marred only by a late-match niggle before closing it out on Monday at the Australian Open.

The world No. 12 defeated Dutchman Jesper de Jong 7-5, 6-2, 7-6 (2), but missed on two chances to easily end it earlier close out the third set.

Medvedev was broken in the 10th and 12th games, with his opponent forcing a tiebreaker. in which the veteran finally won on the second of five match points.after three hours on court.

“I was happy to win in straight sets, even if there were some ups and downs,” Medvedev said. “Conditions felt slow, we were both breaking serve a lot.

“But the most important thing is to win.”

The weekend Brisbane titleholder added: “I played pretty well, but there were moments of the match where I could have played better, especially probably on my serve.”

Canada’s Felix Auger-Aliassime duplicated his 2020 first-round loss, retiring with a 3-6, 64, 6-4 partial scoreline against Nuno Borges of Portugal.

“I feel for him. I know what it feels to struggle physically,” Borges said of his injured opponent, suffering with cramping.

“It’s part of tennis, physically very demanding. It’s a big win for me either way. I think that I played well.

“It’s never easy to play the first round in a big stadium. For me it’s not everyday. I improved in the second set and competed very well. I grew during the match.”

FAA, who said recently that he was entering 2026 with a solid base, was puzzled by his lack of fitness so early in the contest.

“I just started cramping at the start of the third set, it became very difficult to be competitive at this level.

“I just knew it (the match) wasn’t heading in the right direction. I
don’t like to be on the court that way.

“I want to be on the court winning, competing with my opponent. I don’t want to be just standing there like a punching bag.”

Tommy Paul built on his Adelaide semi-final 48 hours ago by advancing 6-4, 6-3, 6-3 over Aleksndar Kovacevic

The American winner struggled with injuries last season, ending it after the US Open.

“There was like, four matches I played the whole year where I wasn’t in pain, which was ridiculous. 

“This year it’s to try and stay as pain-free as we can, take care of the body as much as we can.

“It’s been a focus of mine for years now, but at some point something breaks down, it just happens.”

Qualifier Jordan Thompson joined Aussie No. 1 Alex de Minaur as a winner. defeating Juan Manuel Cerundolo 6-7 (3), 7-5, 6-1, 6-1.

World No. 6 De Minaur rolled over US lucky loser Mackenzie McDonald 6-2, 6-2, 6-3 , 

The American was taken to the woodshed as he lost his ninth consecutive match at a Grand Slam , with his last win coming at the 2023 US Open.

“it feels great to get started here at the Australian Open, I’m happy with the

performance,” the winner said.

“It’s never easy first match coming in. It was a tricky opponent, and I navigated my way through and did what I needed to do.”

Former champion Stan wawrinka surprised Laslo Djere as the 40-year-old with three Grand Slam titles came from a set down to advance 5-7, 6-3, 6-4, -6 (4) as he plays in his final season.

Another former winner at the majors, Croat Marin Cilic, defeated German Daniel Altmaier  6-0, 6-0, 7-6 (3).