Top seed Aryna Sabalenka and Men’s World No. 1 Carlos Alcaraz, along with Daniil Medvedev and Vittoria Mboko, have successfully advanced to the pre-quarterfinals (fourth round) of the Australian Open 2026 after winning their respective third-round matches on Friday.
Sabalenka Fights Past Potapova in Close Contest
Aryna Sabalenka secured her spot in the fourth round by defeating Anastasia Potapova in a demanding match with a score of 7-6 (4), 7-6 (7). Sabalenka faced a tough challenge from Potapova throughout the encounter. In the first set, Sabalenka was ahead at 6-5 with three set points but Potapova saved them, pushing the set to a tie-breaker. Sabalenka ultimately took the first set with a backhand winner after the tie-breaker reached 3-3.
The second set proved even more dramatic. Potapova, despite trailing 0-4, made a strong comeback to level the score at 4-4. In the second tie-breaker, Potapova had three opportunities to win the set, but Sabalenka maintained her composure under pressure to claim the match. Following her victory, Sabalenka praised her opponent, stating, “Potapova played incredible tennis. I was almost on the back foot for the whole match. There are some days in the game when you just have to fight and struggle for the win, today was one of those days.” Sabalenka is set to face 19-year-old Canadian player Vittoria Mboko in the fourth round.
Medvedev’s Comeback Propelled by ‘Pickle Juice’
World No. 12 Daniil Medvedev, 29, fought his way into the Australian Open pre-quarterfinals, marking his first appearance in the fourth round of a Grand Slam since 2024. Medvedev triumphed over Hungary’s Fabian Marozsan, 26, in a grueling five-set match played at Margaret Court Arena, with scores of 6-7, 4-6, 7-5, 6-0, 6-3. Marozsan initially dominated the first two sets, creating significant trouble for Medvedev with powerful forehands and drop shots.
Despite being two sets down, Medvedev maintained his focus in the match, which lasted over three hours. After winning the third set by a narrow margin, the momentum shifted decisively in his favor. Marozsan began to show signs of fatigue in the fourth set, which Medvedev capitalized on, winning it 6-0 in just 19 minutes. Medvedev continued his dominance in the deciding fifth set, securing his eighth consecutive win of the 2026 season. After the match, Medvedev revealed an unusual recovery tactic, saying, “I drank a little pickle juice to avoid cramps. It was a very tough match. Last year I lost almost all five-set matches, but this time I turned it around. I wasn’t playing badly in the first two sets either, so I kept myself calm.” Medvedev will now face 20-year-old American and 25th seed Learner Tien in the fourth round, offering him an opportunity to avenge his second-round loss to Tien in 2025.
Mboko Reaches First Grand Slam Fourth Round
Nineteen-year-old Canadian player Vittoria Mboko made history on January 23, reaching the fourth round of a Grand Slam for the first time in her career. Mboko achieved this feat by defeating Clara Tauson in a three-set battle at John Cain Arena, 7-6(5), 5-7, 6-3. The match was characterized by fluctuating fortunes and long baseline rallies.
After missing several opportunities in the second set, Mboko regained her rhythm in the decisive third set, building a 4-1 lead by winning three consecutive games. Although Tauson attempted a comeback, Mboko sealed the victory with powerful and precise shots. Reflecting on her achievement, Mboko stated, “This is all thanks to self-belief. I am playing here for the first time and I am very happy to reach the fourth round.”
