The second day of the Australian Open 2026 delivered a mix of commanding performances and gripping contests on the courts in Melbourne. While many of the tournament's top seeds progressed with minimal fuss, the day was punctuated by a few compelling battles and notable retirements.
Straight-Sets Dominance for Top Contenders
The early session saw several major players secure their passage to the next round in emphatic fashion. Coco Gauff, Daniil Medvedev, and home favourite Alex de Minaur all recorded convincing straight-sets victories. They were joined by Andrey Rublev, Amanda Anisimova, and Victoria Mboko, who similarly advanced without dropping a set, demonstrating their strong early-tournament form.
There were, however, a couple of surprises. Emma Navarro fell to Magda Linette, while Sofia Kenin was defeated by Peyton Sterns. In the men's draw, Felix Auger-Aliassime was forced to retire from his match against Portugal's Nuno Borges, and Learner Tien managed a narrow win over Marcus Giron.
Veteran Spirit and Comeback Efforts
One of the day's most watched matches featured the beloved veteran Stan Wawrinka. The three-time Grand Slam champion showed his enduring class and fighting spirit, engaging in a tough battle with Laslo Djere. At the time of reporting, Wawrinka held a two-sets-to-one lead, reminding fans why he remains a favourite on the tour.
Meanwhile, Britain's Jacob Fearnley was mounting a spirited comeback against Kamil Majchrzak. After falling behind by two sets to one, Fearnley broke back in the fourth set, keeping his hopes alive in a display of resilience.
Evening Session Headliners and Ongoing Action
The night session promised blockbuster entertainment, with world number one Iga Swiatek taking to the court and the legendary Novak Djokovic facing a potentially tricky test against Pedro Martínez. Other intriguing match-ups included Donna Vekic against Mirra Andreeva and Mattia Bellucci's challenge against Casper Ruud.
Elsewhere, matches were still in progress. Denis Shapovalov had taken the first set against Yunchaokete Bu, and Paula Badosa was also a set up in her contest. Fans could also look forward to seeing Alexei Popyrin, Jiri Lehecka, Elise Mertens, and the clash between Barbora Krejcikova and Diana Shnaider as the day's play continued.
The day's events set the stage for an exciting tournament ahead, blending the predictable dominance of the elite with the unpredictable drama that makes Grand Slam tennis so compelling.
