Daniil Medvedev has won so much in his career, especially on hard courts. He added to his title haul by landing the Brisbane International earlier this month.
MORE: All the scores from AO 2026
But after defeating the big-serving Quentin Halys 6-7(9) 6-3 6-4 6-2 at Australian Open 2026 on Wednesday afternoon, he reminded the assembled masses at John Cain Arena about his recent Grand Slam plight. “It’s the first time in a couple of years I’m in the third round of a Grand Slam, so feeling good.”
It is hard to believe, yet true indeed. Not since the 2024 US Open has the former No.1 been into the third round at a major.
A five-set loss to Learner Tien last year in the second round at Melbourne Park kickstarted a four-match losing skid at Slams.
The No.11 seed avoided the same fate 12 months later by overcoming Halys, though he trailed by a set and break against the world No.83 who gives his opponents little rhythm.
Halys blasted 24 winners in the opening set - doing damage with his forehand in particular - before eventually being reeled in by Medvedev.
“I played much better in Brisbane,” the three-time Australian Open finalist said. “I feel like I’m missing a little bit of power in my shots. But it’s good because if you continue winning in the tournament, you find it step by step.
“I had a bit more than in the first match. Hopefully in the next one I can have a bit more. But I’m definitely playing better.”
In that next one, Medvedev plays Hungary’s Fabian Marozsan, whose clean, hefty baseline strikes can trouble just about anyone.
Homework pays off for Rublev
Medvedev’s longtime friend, Andrey Rublev, admitted that he didn’t know much about his second-round opponent, Jaime Faria. The No.13 seed did some homework and found out that the Portuguese took a set off Novak Djokovic last year at Melbourne Park.
Ready for the encounter, Rublev proceeded to beat the qualifier 6-4 6-3 4-6 7-5 at Margaret Court Arena.
Faria is the type of player that can frustrate Rublev given his ability to slap winners at will from the baseline.
In the third set alone, Faria duly produced 16 of those winners. But Rublev ended the outing with more winners (43) and fewer unforced errors.
After initially letting slip a 5-3 lead and double faulting on his first match point in the fourth set, Rublev recovered - instead of unravelling as has happened to the popular 28-year-old in the past.
He told reporters afterwards that coach Marat Safin - the 2005 Australian Open champion - brings him “much more calmness.”
That could be tested in the third round, since opponent Francisco Cerundolo holds a 3-1 record against Rublev.
Healthy Paul still perfect in sets
Tommy Paul shut down his 2025 season after the US Open due to a foot injury but the 2023 semifinalist says he is now healthy. And when fit, Paul usually hovers around the top 10.
The American built momentum by making the semifinals in Adelaide and hasn’t lost a set - or even dropped serve - through two rounds at AO 2026.
On Wednesday, Paul beat Argentina’s Thiago Tirante 6-3 6-4 6-2, saving all four break points he faced at 1573 Arena.
“It's been basically since Madrid really where I walked onto the court not really too worried about [my body]”, Paul said, referring to late April 2025.
“It's definitely a really good feeling. It makes me feel a bit more relaxed going into the match just knowing that my body is going to be able to hold up, and I'm not really worried about anything other than my tennis.
“I'm able to move smoother, but I'm also able to really aggressively dig in and out of the corners, which is super important for my game to be able to turn defence to offence.”
Davidovich Fokina outlasts towering Opelka
Being aggressive from the corners, turning defence into attack… that’s an apt description of Alejandro Davidovich Fokina’s style.
Paul encounters Davidovich Fokina in the third round, not his good friend Reilly Opelka, after the Spaniard beat the self-described “servebot” 6-3 7-6(3) 5-7 4-6 6-4.
Davidovich Fokina withstood 37 aces and broke twice, including in the last game, as the wind intensified at Kia Arena.
“I don’t know how I broke in the last game,” Davidovich Fokina said on court afterwards.
He hurled his cap onto the court in joy, then celebrated with his team that includes new coach Mariano Puerta (the man on the other side of the net when Rafael Nadal won his first major at Roland Garros in 2005).
Davidovich Fokina had to save three break points in two different games in the fifth set.
In the first game, the No.14 seed somehow dug out a ball from the baseline after a deep Opelka return.
“I’m very grateful how I managed every moment,” he said.
Davidovich Fokina lost to Paul last year at Melbourne Park following two five-setters and possesses a 1-4 record overall against the 28-year-old.
After his stellar 2025, when he made four finals, he might feel it is his time.
New territory for Bublik
Given the way he has played since last year’s clay-court swing, it seemed like this would be the year that Alexander Bublik finally made it past the second round at the Australian Open.
Bolstered by a French Open quarterfinal, the showman skyrocketed in the rankings and then cracked the top 10 this January after triumphing in Hong Kong.
Bublik broke new ground on Wednesday when he beat Marton Fucsovics 7-5 6-4 7-5 at Kia Arena.
“It’s the first year when I actually feel better,” in Melbourne, Bublik said post-match. “I’m really, really happy with that.”
He improved to 6-1 against the 33-year-old Hungarian ironman, but only after rallying from 5-2 down in the third set.
Bublik attributes a different on-court mindset to his upturn.
He still attempts unorthodox shots – like serving underarm or hitting between the legs – but just not as many.
“Now it’s finally kicking in,” said Bublik, who next battles fellow French Open quarterfinalist Tomas Martin Etcheverry.
“I found a little balance between the trick shots and the moments I need to actually pursue a more consistent shot.”