Australian Open as it happened: Awesome Alcaraz ousts De Minaur; Svitolina says mental health break fuelled her run

Top seed Carlos Alcaraz is a relieved and satisfied man after reaching the Australian Open semis for the first time.

“I’m just really happy with the way I’m playing,” Alcaraz said in his on-court interview with former world No.1 Jim Courier.

“I was increasing my level every match… talking with my team [through the tournament].

“After the first match [they said] the level you want to play is going to come.

“I’m playing great tennis, [and] really happy to get into the semi-finals.”

Asked about the challenge of playing the hard-running Australian, Alcaraz said: “It’s really difficult. I started the match really well, hitting the ball [as I wanted].

“You are in a rush all the time [against Alex]… you want to hit the ball as hard as you can – which is impossible against him.

“You have to be really focused on every ball, you have to win the point three or four times.”

Good night, folks.

It’s been a bumper day at the Australian Open as temperatures soared in Melbourne and across Victoria. Sadly, for local hopes, the country’s last remaining singles player, men’s world No.6 Alex de Minaur, has exited at the quarter-final stage.

Aryna Sabalenka soared into the women’s semi-finals, while world No.3 Coco Gauff crashed out badly. The red-hot tennis will continue on Wednesday as big names Iga Swiatek, Novak Djokovic and Jannik Sinner strive to reach semi-finals of their own.

We’ll be back with you early on Wednesday, as well as the other final four days of the 2026 tournament.

Elina Svitolina credited her first-ever Australian Open semi-final run to the mental health break she took at the end of last season – a move she believes rejuvenated her. The 31-year-old Ukrainian swept aside last year’s Roland-Garros champion Coco Gauff 6-1, 6-2 in the quarter-finals, ending the American third seed’s bid for a third grand slam title.

Svitolina, the 12th seed, reached the last four at Melbourne Park for the first time after three quarter-final appearances, keeping alive her hopes of a maiden major title.

“It was difficult decision in one hand, but then I spoke with my team and family,” Svitolina said. “If I would keep pushing last year, I think I would not start here. I would be exhausted, and even not sure if I would be injury-free.

“So, for me, it was important to just step back, and I’m very happy that I did that. Of course, now it’s easy to say because the results have been great... but I still think it’s something that helped me.”

Svitolina won the Auckland Open this month, her 19th WTA title, after ending her 2025 season early to focus on her mental health.

Asked whether she surprised herself with how quickly she rediscovered her form, Svitolina said: “I tried to trust myself... when I’m fresh, when I’m mentally ready to face difficult situations, then I can play well.”

Svitolina next faces Belarusian top seed Aryna Sabalenka, against whom she holds a 1-5 losing record.

“It’s no secret she’s a very powerful player,” Svitolina said. “The power in all parts of her game is her strength. I think she’s very consistent for the past years with everything that she does on the court. I’ll have to be ready for that, try to find the ways and the little holes, little opportunities in her game.”

Reuters

The Australian Open quarter-finals will continue on Wednesday with defending champion Jannik Sinner facing American Ben Shelton, while world No.2 Iga Swiatek takes on Elena Rybakina.

Top men’s match: Djokovic v Musetti

Novak Djokovic’s pursuit of a record 25th grand slam title has been smooth sailing so far, with the Serbian yet to drop a set and benefiting from a fourth-round walkover when Jakub Mensik withdrew due to injury.

The 38-year-old faces Italian Lorenzo Musetti in what could be his toughest test yet at Melbourne Park, though history heavily favours Djokovic, who has nine wins from their 10 previous meetings. In their last match, Djokovic claimed his 101st ATP title with a three-set victory at the Hellenic Championship in Athens.

“I think it will be a tough match, for sure. Of course, he’s feeling good. He never lost a set. He had the chance to rest for a few days,” Musetti told reporters.

“At this age, I think he was happy about it, to try to be well-prepared and well-relaxed for this match. We know each other pretty well because we played a lot.

“Just won once against him. Hopefully, I’ll take my revenge because last time in Athens we were really, really close. I feel like I have another chance now.”

Top women’s match: Rybakina v Swiatek

Second seed Swiatek faces Rybakina in a rematch of their WTA Finals clash in November, in which the Russian-born Kazakh claimed a 3-6, 6-1, 6-0 victory en route to winning the season-ending title.

Poland’s Swiatek edges their head-to-head record at 6-5.

“It doesn’t make sense to over-analyse who won the last ones or how it has been looking,” Swiatek said.

“Every match is a different story. In every match she’s been a tough opponent, and her tennis for sure is great. I need to be 100 per cent ready and go for it and use my experience and also the knowledge from previous matches.”

Shelton in ‘lockdown mode’ ahead of Sinner test

The night session at Rod Laver Arena features two-time champion Sinner taking on Shelton, with the Italian world No.2 boasting an 8-1 record against the eighth seed.

Their meeting at the Australian Open comes one round earlier than when they met in last year’s semi-final, which Sinner won in straight sets.

Shelton lost to Sinner three more times in 2025.

“I think my return game has improved a lot. A year ago today I wasn’t comfortable hitting a forehand return. I didn’t put a lot in play,” added Shelton.

“I had to go to the chip a lot to put it in play. And now I’m getting to a point in the match where I feel like I’m lock-down mode, and I can’t miss one.”

Reuters

Top seed Carlos Alcaraz is a relieved and satisfied man after reaching the Australian Open semis for the first time.

“I’m just really happy with the way I’m playing,” Alcaraz said in his on-court interview with former world No.1 Jim Courier.

“I was increasing my level every match… talking with my team [through the tournament].

“After the first match [they said] the level you want to play is going to come.

“I’m playing great tennis, [and] really happy to get into the semi-finals.”

Asked about the challenge of playing the hard-running Australian, Alcaraz said: “It’s really difficult. I started the match really well, hitting the ball [as I wanted].

“You are in a rush all the time [against Alex]… you want to hit the ball as hard as you can – which is impossible against him.

“You have to be really focused on every ball, you have to win the point three or four times.”

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