Top Seeds Triumph in Australian Open 2026 Second Round
The Australian Open 2026 continued with high-stakes action on Wednesday, January 21, 2026, as top seeds across both the women's and men's draws secured their places in the third round. According to an Associated Press report, the tournament's favorites demonstrated their prowess on the courts of Melbourne Park, setting the stage for an exciting progression in the Grand Slam event.
Sabalenka's Hard-Fought Victory
Aryna Sabalenka, the two-time defending champion, advanced by defeating China's Bai Zhouxuan with a score of 6-3, 6-1 at Rod Laver Arena. Despite jumping to an early 5-0 lead in the opening set, Sabalenka required seven set points to close it out, showcasing her resilience under pressure. Currently pursuing her fifth Grand Slam title, Sabalenka will next face Anastasia Popapova, who eliminated former U.S. Open winner Emma Raducanu in straight sets, promising a thrilling encounter in the upcoming round.
Gauff and Alcaraz Dominate Their Matches
Meanwhile, Coco Gauff moved forward with a dominant performance, securing a 6-2, 6-2 win over Olga Danilovic at Margaret Court Arena. Gauff continues her quest for a first title in Melbourne, displaying formidable form that positions her as a strong contender in the women's draw. On the men's side, Carlos Alcaraz overcame a tough challenge from Germany's Yannick Hanfmann, clinching a 7-6 (4), 6-3, 6-2 victory. At just 22 years old, Alcaraz is attempting to become the youngest man to complete a career Grand Slam by winning his first title at Melbourne Park, adding an extra layer of excitement to his campaign.
Other Notable Advances in the Tournament
Other successful male seeds included No. 11 Daniil Medvedev, who beat Quentin Halys in four sets, and No. 13 Andrey Rublev, who outlasted Jaime Faria in a four-set battle. Additionally, 19th-seeded Tommy Paul moved on with a straight-sets win, while 14th-seeded Alejandro Davidovich Fokina survived a five-set scare against American Reilly Opelka after nearly squandering a two-set lead, highlighting the intense competition in the early rounds.
In other women's action, 12th-seeded Elina Svitolina of Ukraine defeated Linda Klimovicova 7-5, 6-1. This victory followed her husband Gael Monfils' first-round exit and retirement announcement on Tuesday, adding emotional depth to her performance. Zeynep Sönmez of Turkey also advanced to the third round by beating Anna Bondar 6-2, 6-4 in front of a capacity crowd of Melbourne's Turkish community. Sönmez, who received praise for assisting an ill ballkid earlier in the tournament, played her match on one of the venue's outside courts, underscoring the diverse stories unfolding at this Grand Slam event.
