The 12 best players at the Australian Open have made some extraordinary history, with this year’s tournament the first time ever that the top six seeds in the men’s and women’s draws have all reached the quarter-final of a grand slam in the Open Era. Aussie tennis fans are gearing up for the business end of the Australian Open with the big names all still in the running for the title.
Home fans will be cheering on home favourite Alex de Minaur against Carlos Alcaraz in a blockbuster on Rod Laver Arena on Tuesday night. And de Minaur and Alcaraz have joined their fellow rivals in making history during the first grand slam of the year.
The 2026 Australian Open is the first time ever the top six seeds for the women and men have reached the quarter-final of a grand slam in the Open Era. (Images: Getty Images)
The lack of any major upsets on either side of the draw has seen the top six women and top six men all reach the quarter-final for the first time ever in a grand slam in the Open Era. Aryna Sabalenka booked her place in the Australian Open semi-final after a straight sets win over talented American Iva Jovic on Tuesday.
World No.3 Coco Gauff plays Elina Svitolina on Tuesday night and No.4 seed Amanda Anisimova will play fellow American and No.6 seed Jessica Pegula in the quarter on Thursday. While World No.2 Iga Swiatek will take on No.5 seed Elina Rybakina.
Men’s World No.1 Alcaraz will be looking to extend his winning record over No.6 seed de Minaur to six straight victories. Although de Minaur will be drawing on the electric atmosphere at Melbourne Park in his attempt to cause one of the biggest upsets of this year’s grand slam.
No.3 seed Alexander Zverev plays American Lerner Tien, while Novak Djokovic plays World No.5 seed Lorenzo Musetti in the quarter. To round of the men’s top six seeds, No.2 Jannik Sinner takes on Ben Shelton.
Alex de Minaur to take game to Carlos Alcaraz
The quarter-final matches played on Tuesday could be played under extreme conditions with temperatures soaring in Melbourne. De Minaur and Alcaraz will most likely be played with the roof closed on Rod Laver Arena.
But de Minaur isn’t thinking about conditions, but rather showing fans how he can go toe-to-toe with the best in the world. “Yeah, I got tired of the narrative that these big hitters can take the racquet out of my hands,” de Minaur said after defeating Alexander Bublik in straight sets.
“Over the years I have kept on improving. I have kept on getting more and more out of myself. One of the things I have been constantly wanting to get to is exactly that – when I’m playing big hitters, not be a punching bag for them, ultimately, and really show them that I can go toe to toe with them and actually dictate and get them moving.
“That’s the most effective way to play these big guys. Ultimately, I’m very happy that I’m able to execute that. And, yeah, the last couple of matches is some of the best ball striking I have had here at the AO.”