Top seven matches of Australian Open 2026

We’ve been treated to an epic three weeks of tennis at Melbourne Park.

Qualifiers reached new heights, a former champion produced a stirring run to the third round in his final AO, and the sport’s biggest stars rewrote history.

Below, we’ve selected what we think were the seven best main draw singles matches. Do you agree with our picks?

Men’s final:

Carlos Alcaraz d Novak Djokovic

2-6 6-2 6-3 7-5

In a clash between generational talents, the 22-year-old world No.1 conquered his 38-year-old rival to earn a maiden AO crown, becoming the youngest man to complete a career Grand Slam and the youngest player to capture seven major titles.

“It is a dream come true for me,” said Alcaraz, who crucially converted five of 16 break points in the three hour-long final, and collapsed to the ground as he celebrated championship point, covering his face with his palms.

“Nobody knows how hard I’ve been working to get this trophy, I just chased this moment so much."

Alcaraz later wrote on the TV camera lens: “Job finished. 4/4 Complete.”

Women’s final:

Elena Rybakina d Aryna Sabalenka

6-4 4-6 6-4

Fittingly, in the best women’s match of the tournament, the two powerful ball-strikers finished with a combined 63 winners and, underscoring just how tight the contest was, each won 92 points.

Rybakina, avenging a three-set loss to Sabalenka in the AO 2023 women’s singles final, recovered from a 0-3 deficit in the third set to secure her first AO crown and second Grand Slam title.

By sealing victory with an ace, the 26-year-old became the first Kazakhstani AO titlist and handed Sabalenka, the world No.1, her second straight AO final defeat.

“I’m really proud,” said Rybakina, who climbed to world No.3 as a result of her triumph.

Men’s singles semifinal:

Carlos Alcaraz d Alexander Zverev

6-4 7-6(5) 6-7(3) 6-7(4) 7-5

We’ll forever remember this titanic encounter that stretched five hours and 27 minutes, setting a record for the longest-ever semifinal at Melbourne Park.

The top seed drew from his deep well of self-belief after struggling physically near the conclusion of the third set, just two games from victory.

The 22-year-old was barely able to move for a period of the match, suffering a deceleration on his serve speeds and leg drive. Though Zverev did his best to stage his fourth career comeback from a two-sets-to-love deficit, his tenacious rival was prepared for the fight.

Alcaraz, feeding off the energy of the 15,000-strong crowd on Rod Laver Arena, won four games in a row from 3-5 in the fifth to become the youngest man in the Open Era to reach the final of all four majors.

Men’s singles semifinal:

Novak Djokovic d Jannik Sinner

3-6 6-3 4-6 6-4 6-4

In this epic that finished at 1:32 am, Djokovic turned back the clock against the 24-year-old world No.2, digging deep to save a tremendous 16 of 18 break points en route to his first victory over his Italian rival in six matches.

Sinner, the two-time defending champion, struck 26 aces among 72 winners to dwarf Djokovic’s tally of 46 winners, but couldn’t hit through the 24-time Grand Slam champion when it most mattered.

“It doesn’t get better than this,” said the 10-time AO champion after the four-hour, nine-minute battle, his first triumph in a major semifinal since 2024 Wimbledon.

Women’s singles fourth round:

Coco Gauff d Karolina Muchova

6-1 3-6 6-3

The American 21-year-old emerged as victor in this two-hour battle at Margaret Court Arena, in part by limiting her unforced errors to 26 compared to her rival’s 38.

“Every time I play Karolina, it feels tough out there on the court,” said Gauff, who extended her head-to-head record over the Czech star to 5-0. “She's a talented player. Really just came down to couple points in the third set that went my way.”

With victory, she became the youngest woman to reach three consecutive AO singles quarterfinals since Maria Sharapova, who made four straight between 2005 and 2008.

Women’s singles second round

Maddison Inglis d Laura Siegemund

6-4 6-7(3) 7-6[10-7]

Entertaining a thrilled crowd at ANZ Arena, the Australian and German produced 89 combined winners in this three-hour, 20-minute nailbiter, in which the 168th-ranked qualifier was a clear underdog against the crafty world No.48.

“I was really proud how I managed myself in the tiebreak, I wanted it so bad,” said Inglis, who served for the match in the second set.

"I knew she wasn't going to give it to me, she's such a great competitor. I had to work for it.”

Men’s singles second round:

Stan Wawrinka d Arthur Gea

4-6 6-3 3-6 7-5 7-6[10-3]

In his final campaign at Melbourne Park, the AO 2014 champion became the first player aged 40 or over to reach the third round at a major since Ken Rosewall at Australian Open 1978.

He did so by winning this marathon four-hour and 33-minute battle against 21-year-old French qualifier Arthur Gea.

In his 20th AO, wildcard Wawrinka struck 63 winners en route to victory in his 49th five-set match at a major.

“It’s my last Australian Open so I’m trying to last as long as possible,” he said after a battle that electrified Kia Arena. “I’m always going to fight, I’m always going to leave everything on the court, always trying my best, trying to push myself.”

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