Round three of Australian Open 2026 promises a feast of compelling matchups.
From master-and-apprentice duels to magical shot-makers and former top-10 rivals, there’s something for every tennis fan.
Here are the five matches you won’t want to miss.
[6] Alex de Minaur v [29] Frances Tiafoe
Alex de Minaur and Frances Tiafoe have both made significant strides since turning pro in 2015.
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While De Minaur holds the edge with 10 career titles and a current career-high ranking of No. 6, Tiafoe remains a formidable opponent on Australian hardcourts, having reached the quarterfinals at AO 2019.
The hometown hero has claimed three of their four previous encounters, most recently at the Canada Open in August 2025.
[29] Iva Jovic v [7] Jasmine Paolini
Two pocket rockets in red-hot form? Sign us up.
Iva Jovic has stormed to a 9-2 record in 2026 – the most wins in the WTA so far – and looks primed for a breakthrough season. The 18-year-old has spent just over two-and-a-half hours on court in total throughout her Australian Open main draw debut, dismantling home favourite Priscilla Hon 6-1 6-2 at Rod Laver Arena on Wednesday.
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Her momentum will be tested against seventh seed Jasmine Paolini, who has dropped just eight games in four sets and is aiming to improve on her AO 2024 fourth-round run.
With a 2-0 head-to-head advantage, Paolini is the seasoned hand, but Jovic’s level is rapidly rising. Expect speed, agility, and tenacity from both sides in this master-and-apprentice clash.
[1] Carlos Alcaraz v [32] Corentin Moutet
There’s a clear favourite, but the most entertaining player will be less obvious.
Whether it’s a party shot, a cheeky crowd interaction, or a little friction with his opponent, Corentin Moutet never fails to provide drama.
The Frenchman reached round two after Michael Zheng retired, but things get tougher as he faces Carlos Alcaraz – who comes in off two hard-fought straight-set wins – for the first time in their careers.
[9] Madison Keys v Karolina Pliskova
It’s rare for a reigning Australian Open champion to reach round three with fewer titles, less prize money and a lower career-high ranking than her opponent, but that’s the scenario for Madison Keys, who faces former world No. 1 Karolina Pliskova.
Pliskova, ranked outside the top 1000 due to lingering injuries, has impressed in her first major tournament since retiring at the 2024 US Open, defeating Sloane Stephens in round one before a convincing straight-sets win over emerging Indonesian talent Janice Tjen.
Keys has looked steady, though occasionally vulnerable, in her opening matches. The pair have met just once before, with Pliskova winning a three-set thriller when both were top 10 players at the Brisbane International in 2020.
While Keys enters as the heavy favourite, this is a genuine danger match. Should Pliskova pull off another upset, the WTA Tour will officially be on notice.
[19] Tommy Paul v [14] Alejandro Davidovich Fokina
Tommy Paul said he was arriving in Melbourne pain-free for the first time in over a year, and the results have certainly borne that out.
The AO 2023 semifinalist won both of his opening matches in straight sets and now faces his first real test against 14th seed Alejandro Davidovich Fokina. The Spaniard survived a five-set battle against Reilly Opelka, but will need to raise his level to overcome a player he has yet to beat in four attempts.
Paul has claimed two of those victories at Melbourne Park – needing five sets in 2023 before cruising 6-1 6-1 6-1 last year in the fourth round. He also holds wins over Davidovich Fokina at the US Open and Miami Masters.
Despite being higher ranked at world No. 14, 26-year-old Davidovich Fokina has yet to win an ATP title, while 28-year-old Paul boasts four career trophies and reached a career-high world No. 8 in 2025.