The second round of Australian Open 2026 begins with a bang on Day 4, with must-watch matches everywhere you look on Wednesday and Thursday at Melbourne Park.
Our pick of the five you don’t want to miss? These.
[21] Denis Shapovalov (CAN) v Marin Cilic (CRO)
Head-to-head: Shapovalov leads 3-2
Denis Shapovalov had a mini resurgence in 2025.
MORE: AO 2026 men's singles draw
Beating three top 10 players in Taylor Fritz, Tommy Paul, and Casper Ruud to win his first ever ATP 500 title in Dallas, Shapovalov then had an ATP 250 title run at Los Cabos, not dropping a single set and only losing 18 games in eight sets along the way.
Marin Cilic, meanwhile, is having a steady comeback from injury, jumping a whopping 596 places from No. 666 at the end of 2023 to No. 70 at the start of 2026.
Steadily working his way back inside the top 100, Cilic became the lowest ranked player to win a title since 1973 at the 2024 Hangzhou Open before upsetting world No.4 Jack Draper at Wimbledon 2025.
Surging through his AO 2026 opening-round match by winning the first 13 games against German Daniel Altmaier, the 37-year-old veteran looks back to his best. Shapovalov had a similarly straightforward opening win over China’s Yunchaokete Bu.
With both players possessing weapons aplenty, this match is sure to feature some big hitting.
Maria Sakkari (GRE) v [8] Mirra Andreeva
Head-to-head: First career meeting
It’s hard to believe Mirra Andreeva is still only 18 years old when it feels like she’s been on the tour forever. Already amassing four tour-level titles, Andreeva made history when she became the youngest player to win a WTA 1000 event at Dubai 2025 since the format was introduced in 2009.
MORE: AO 2026 women's singles draw
Now firmly a top 10 player, Andreeva is the most exciting prospect on the WTA tour.
Meanwhile, as a former top 10 player, Maria Sakkari is always a dangerous prospect, despite slipping in the rankings following a shoulder injury in 2024.
While they have never faced one another, the match-up is an intriguing one with both players showcasing contrasting styles.
Possessing an exceptional tennis IQ, Andreeva combines controlled aggression with high-level defensive skills while Sakkari is an aggressive, all-court style of player that relies on her supreme athleticism, physical power, and high-intensity movement.
[5] Lorenzo Musetti (ITA) v Lorenzo Sonego (ITA)
Head-to-head: Tied 1-1
In a battle of the Italians (and the Lorenzos), Lorenzo Musetti and Lorenzo Sonego will bring a flair to the court when they face off on Thursday.
Fresh off his best year on tour, Musetti made his debut in the top 10 and is seeded fifth here, looking to equal or better his third-round appearance at AO 2025.
With an elegant backhand and all-court game, the crafty 23-year-old’s game is a treat to watch.
His compatriot is no slouch either.
The athletic Sonego is a brick wall and has been known to hit some incredible trick shots, hitting perhaps the shot of the tournament against Stan Wawrinka with an inventive behind-the back-forehand winner at AO 2025.
While Musetti goes in as overwhelming favourite, Sonego did make a career-best quarterfinal run in Melbourne last January, and won their most recent encounter at the 2025 Paris Masters.
Reilly Opelka (USA) v [14] Alejandro Davidovich Fokina (ESP)
Head-to-head: Davidovich Fokina leads 1-0
Reilly Opelka and Alejandro Davidovich Fokina could not have more opposite games.
At 211cm tall, Opelka has one of the most dominant serves on the ATP Tour, averaging almost 18 aces per match. The American also has a dangerous forehand with the ability to close points at the net.
Davidovich Fokina, on the other hand, is a grinder, blending explosive movement with a crafty, dynamic and aggressive game. He also happens to have one of the best drop shots on tour.
Both players had relatively comfortable straight-sets wins in their first-round matches, so will be fresh coming into this encounter.
If Opelka is to win, he’ll aim to push each set to a tiebreak, while Davidovich Fokina will be looking to use his speed and consistency to wear the American down.
[3] Coco Gauff (USA) v Olga Danilovic (SER)
Head-to-head: First career meeting
As one of the biggest female athletes in the world, Coco Gauff is coming off another solid year, winning Roland Garros 2025 as well as a WTA 1000 title in Wuhan.
Opening her AO 2026 campaign with a straightforward win over Uzbekistan’s Kamilla Rakhimova, Gauff will come into this match full of confidence.
After eliminating seven-time Grand Slam winner Venus Williams in the opening round, Olga Danilovic will turn her attention from former to current American champion in Gauff.
Showing heart and resilience in her comeback win over Williams, Danilovic has shown she is a fighter that loves to engage in long rallies.
Gauff, on the other hand, not only wields a fast-paced, aggressive game but has improved her defensive skills and ability to adapt under pressure.
With both players demonstrating a never-say-die attitude, this one is set to be a tantalising watch.