MELBOURNEAustralia – day 4 the Australian Open saw the tournament settle into rhythm, with majors progressing in a controlled fashion, some rising players making statements and some matches decided less by fireworks than by discipline and execution.
World no. 1 Aryna Sabalenka continued her efficient start to the tournament by shutting out Bai Zhuoxuan 6-3, 6-1 to advance to the third round. Sabalenka was largely untroubled, dictating play from the baseline and losing serve just once as she steadily finished the Chinese qualifier.
“I feel confident with my game,” Sabalenka said. “I’m serving well and finding my shots early, which is important here.”
On the men’s side, Carlos Alcaraz produced one of the sharpest performances of the day, cruising through a tight opening set before pulling away for a 7-6 (4), 6-3, 6-2 win over Yannick Hanfmann. Alcaraz was patient in the early exchanges, then raised his level as the match opened up, using his speed to extend rallies and force errors.
“I stayed calm when it was close,” Alcaraz said. “Once I broke through in the first set, I felt more comfortable.”
American Coco Gauff was similarly composed, finishing behind Olga Danilovic 6-2, 6-2 in a match that rarely left her control. The third seed served cleanly and took the ball early, preventing Danilovic from setting up rallies.
“I think I did a good job of staying aggressive but not rushing,” Gauff said. “That was the key today.”
A more physical test awaited Alexander Zverev, who dropped a set before regrouping to beat Alexandre Muller in four. Zverev leaned on his serve late and stayed behind the swings of momentum, avoiding the kind of early-round exit that has troubled him in Melbourne in the past.
Home favorite Alex de Minaur provided the buzziest moment of the day, overcoming a first-set loss and a rain delay before falling to Hamad Medjedovic. 6-7, 6-2, 6-2, 6-1. Once the game resumed, de Minaur’s speed and stamina proved decisive.
“I knew I had to be patient,” de Minaur said. “Even after losing the first set, I felt I was playing the right way.”
Among the standout results, teenager Mirra Andreeva produced one of the most emphatic wins of the tournament, defeating Maria Sakkari. 6-0, 6-4. Andreeva hit cleanly from both sides and never allowed the former semi-finalist to establish a rhythm.
Not all the news was positive for the former champions. Emma Raducanu came through in straight sets, undone by inconsistency at key moments as Anastasia Potapova progressed.
As the tournament moves deeper into the second round, the margins are narrowing. day 4 offered a reminder that at Melbourne Park, progress often comes not just through brilliance, but through patience, resilience and the ability to take risks when they finally do appear.
