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Top seven matches of Australian Open 2025

  • Gillian Tan

January in Melbourne Park guarantees 15 days of sensational tennis from 256 of the world's best singles players. This year, we've been introduced to fresh faces, ridden rollercoasters with established stars, supported homegrown talent and appreciated stirring comebacks. 

It was tough, but we've picked what we consider were the seven best matches. Do they match yours?

Women’s singles first round: Destanee Aiava [Q] d Greet Minnen 5-7 7-5 7-6 [10-5]

After securing a main draw berth through qualifying, the 24-year-old Aiava fought valiantly to secure her maiden Grand Slam singles victory, and her unbridled glee was contagious. 

The Samoan-Australian, who received wildcards into the AO main draw between 2017 and 2021 and has publicly detailed mental health struggles, saved two match points trailing 5-4 in the deciding set. She eventually captured the win in three hours, the fourth-longest women’s singles match of the tournament, after striking 43 winners and credited the fans on Court 3 for helping her get across the line. 

“They gave me the energy that I needed to get through that match,” said Aiava, whose vintage tennis dresses during AO 2025 earned her an appearance in Vogue. “I believed I could win before I stepped on the court.”
 

Men’s singles first round: Joao Fonseca [Q] d Andrey Rublev [9] 7-6(1) 6-3 7-6(5)

Fonseca, another qualifier, became one of the most spoken names in tennis households across the globe thanks to this remarkable Grand Slam debut.

The Brazilian 18-year-old showed off his repertoire of easy power off both wings and skilful touch that caused pundits to draw comparisons to Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal and Carlos Alcaraz. Fist pumps were abundant as the right-hander placed 51 winners en route to his first win over a top 10 opponent.

“I played such a good match,” acknowledged the talented Fonseca. “I'm just very happy with myself, very proud the way that I fought, and the way that I stayed mentally on every game, every point.” 

The teen, ranked No.112 before the tournament, climbed to No.99 after his trip Down Under - the youngest in the top 100 since Carlos Alcaraz in October 2021. “In my opinion, the sky's the limit,” he told the ATP before leaving Melbourne. 

Women’s singles semifinal: Madison Keys [19] d Iga Swiatek [2] 5-7 6-1 7-6 [10-8]

In this instant classic, the second-seeded Pole served for the match at 6-5 in the decider and was one point away from securing a berth in her first AO final. But in a dramatic, enthralling match and the first AO women’s singles semifinal to be decided by a match tiebreak, her American foe prevailed, earning what arguably was the upset of the tournament. 

"That match was such high level,” enthused the 29-year-old 19th seed. It secured a berth in her first Grand Slam final since 2017. 

“I feel like I blacked out at some point and was just running around,” joked Keys, who served an ace followed by a huge serve out wide to set up match point. “At the end we were both battling some nerves and just pushing each other, it just became who can get that final point, who can be that little bit better than the other one. I’m happy it was me.”

Men’s singles second round: Learner Tien [Q] d Daniil Medvedev [5] 6-3 7-6(4) 6-7(8) 1-6 7-6 [10-7] 

This duel was the second-longest match of the tournament at four hours and 48 minutes. Under lights, Tien, the 19-year-old American qualifier, had a match point in the third-set tiebreak but was initially denied by fifth-seeded Medvedev, a three-time AO men’s singles finalist.

Adding to the drama, the match was interrupted at by a six-minute rain delay at 5-5 15-all in the fifth. Although Medvedev broke serve when the match resumed, Tien immediately broke back and proceeded to close out the match tiebreak. 

With the victory, the left-handed world No.121, an AO 2023 boys’ singles finalist, became the youngest American man in the third round in Melbourne since 18-year-old Pete Sampras in 1990.

Men’s singles quarterfinal: Novak Djokovic [7] d Carlos Alcaraz [3] 4-6 6-4 6-3 6-4

When the AO 2025 draw was released, this was one of a handful of potential blockbuster matches that was circled.

The three-hour, 37-minute night match was captivating from the first point and the 21-year-old Spaniard who’d defeated Djokovic in their past two Grand Slam meetings, both Wimbledon finals, rushed to an early advantage. The Serbian 10-time AO champion’s movement appeared impaired, and he received a medical timeout while trailing at 5-4 in the opening set. 

But as so many players have learned over the past 22 years, one should never count Djokovic out. The 37-year-old, who denied Alcaraz for the Olympic gold medal in their most recent meeting in Paris, lifted his level and had answers to everything his younger rival threw at him. Crucially, the 24-time Grand Slam champion saved seven of 11 break points.

“One of the most epic matches I’ve played on this court, any court really,” Djokovic told former No.1 Jim Courier afterwards. “I just wish this match today was the final, honestly.”

It was an opportunity lost for Alcaraz, who will continue his pursuit of a career Grand Slam at AO 2026.

“I felt like I was controlling the match, and I let him get into the match again,” Alcaraz said." 

Women’s final: Madison Keys [19] d Aryna Sabalenka [1] 6-3 2-6 7-5

This championship match had fans on the edge of their seats and then on their feet, celebrating with the 29-year-old American as she achieved a lifelong dream of capturing a Grand Slam title. 

The gripping encounter was filled with powerful ball-striking, deft touch and fittingly, all came down to a high-octane decider. Notably, it was the first AO women’s singles final to reach 5-5 in the decisive set since 1981, when the tournament was held in Kooyong.

Resilient despite the immense pressure, Keys held for 6-5 and then seized the moment, leaving nothing to chance in the best return game of her life. 

The 19th seed manufactured two championship points and captured the first with a crisp forehand. The euphoria from that extraordinary Saturday night will be etched in her mind forever.

“I’ve wanted this for so long,” said the fourth-oldest first-time women’s singles Grand Slam champion. “I just kept telling myself, ‘Be brave, go for it',” Keys said. “I'm just really proud of myself.”

Men’s third round: Gael Monfils d Taylor Fritz [4] 3-6 7-5 7-6(1) 6-4

In his 19th AO, the Frenchman’s impeccable performance at Margaret Court Arena was one of the most rousing matches of the tournament.

His dominance in the third-set tiebreak was particularly impressive, and throughout the match, the world No.41 looked like he – not Fritz --– was the world No.4. The Frenchman out-aced Fritz 24 to 12 and dictated play, striking 58 winners to just 34 unforced errors. 

The charismatic right-hander played tennis at a level reminiscent of his prime, making Fritz uncomfortable by changing the rhythm at will, alternating powerful groundstrokes with well-executed slice.

“It was really tough to hurt him, he just got back everything,” the American said. 

Monfils danced to express his joy after securing his first win over a top-five opponent at a major since 2008, a victory that propelled him to join Roger Federer as the only other men’s singles player aged 38 or older to reach the last 16 at the AO since 1988.