The second day of the 2026 Australian Open delivered historic records, emotional moments, and early signs of how the tournament might unfold. Novak Djokovic rewrote the record books, Daniil Medvedev looked mentally refreshed, and Mirra Andreeva once again proved she can handle pressure on the biggest stage.
For a full recap of the opening matches, you can also read our detailed Day 1 summary of the Australian Open.
Djokovic Sets Two Historic Records in Melbourne
Novak Djokovic wasted no time reminding everyone why he remains a central figure at the Australian Open. His straight-sets win over Pedro Martinez (6–3, 6–2, 6–2) marked the 81st Grand Slam appearance of his career, tying Roger Federer and Feliciano López for the all-time record.
The victory also carried even greater historical weight. Djokovic secured his 100th career win at the Australian Open, becoming the first player in tennis history to record 100 match wins at three different Grand Slam tournaments.
To complete the century across all four majors, Djokovic now needs five more wins at the US Open — a realistic target if he reaches at least the semifinals in New York later this season.
Mirra Andreeva Takes Control — On Court and Off
Mirra Andreeva once again demonstrated her growing maturity. The Adelaide champion came back from a set down to defeat Donna Vekić 4–6, 6–3, 6–0. As expected, the opening set was physically demanding, with Vekić applying constant pressure through her serve and power hitting.
From the second set onward, Andreeva increased her aggression, improved her court coverage, and completely seized momentum.
After the match, Andreeva jokingly credited herself rather than her coaching team — a lighthearted moment that highlighted her confidence rather than arrogance. Her performance confirmed that she is becoming increasingly comfortable solving problems independently during matches.
Diana Shnaider also staged an impressive comeback, defeating two-time Grand Slam champion Barbora Krejčíková 2–6, 6–3, 6–3. Anastasia Zakharova, however, was unable to challenge Jessica Pegula and exited in straight sets.
Medvedev Breaks a Losing Streak and Looks Reassured
Daniil Medvedev opened his Australian Open campaign with a 7–5, 6–2, 7–6(2) win over Jesper de Jong, ending a streak of four consecutive Grand Slam defeats.
The match was uneven — Medvedev failed to serve out both the opening set and the match — but there was a noticeable difference in his demeanor compared to last season. Even during tense moments, there was a sense of control and confidence that had been missing in 2025.
While an unusual warm-up routine drew some attention, the bigger factor appeared to be Medvedev’s renewed belief in his game — something that could prove crucial in later rounds.
Rublev Advances and Delivers an Unfiltered Interview
Andrey Rublev comfortably defeated Matteo Arnaldi 6–4, 6–2, 6–3, then followed it up with a candid and somewhat chaotic on-court interview.
Asked about the influence of Marat Safin on his game, Rublev summed it up in one word: “Relaxation.” When questioned about his next opponent, qualifier Jaime Faria, Rublev admitted he had not even looked at the draw yet.
The exchange may have been unconventional, but it reflected Rublev’s current mindset — focused less on speculation and more on execution.
Breakthrough Moment for Oksana Selekhmetyeva
Oksana Selekhmetyeva, ranked outside the top 100, recorded her first career win at a Grand Slam, defeating Ella Seidel in Melbourne. The 23-year-old now faces a much tougher challenge against Paula Badosa in the second round.
Regardless of the result, reaching round two already marks a significant milestone in her career.
Unexpected Drama Across the Draw
Several unusual moments stood out on Day 2:
- Donna Vekić’s newly launched sports jewelry line suffered an awkward debut when her bracelet broke and landed on court during play.
- Daniel Altmaier endured a brutal stretch, losing 25 consecutive games across two matches before narrowly avoiding a historic triple bagel against Marin Čilić.
- Filipina fan favorite Alexandra Eala received massive crowd support, but Alicia Parks recovered from a 0–6 first set to win in three.
Medvedev’s Section Opens Up — Or Does It?
The men’s draw lost its first top-10 seed when Félix Auger-Aliassime retired against Nuno Borges due to severe cramps. Auger-Aliassime had been a potential fourth-round opponent for Medvedev.
However, the path remains far from simple. Lerner Tien, another possible opponent, exited after trailing Marcos Giron, setting up a matchup where Medvedev faces a player who leads their head-to-head record.
Wawrinka Wins at 40 and Makes History
Stan Wawrinka began what is expected to be the final Australian Open of his career with a four-set victory over Laslo Djere. At 40 years old, Wawrinka became only the third player in the Open Era to win a Grand Slam match at that age, joining Jimmy Connors and Ivo Karlović.
Vintage shot-making appeared throughout the match, suggesting the Swiss veteran is not ready to exit quietly.
Top Seeds Progress, Medical Timeouts Rise
Among the top contenders:
- Coco Gauff earned her 250th career win, defeating Kamilla Rakhimova and declaring that only the title would satisfy her expectations.
- Amanda Anisimova and Iga Świątek both advanced, with Świątek overcoming a tight first set against Yuan Yue.
- Alex de Minaur cruised past Mackenzie McDonald in straight sets.
Day 2 also featured 14 medical timeouts, with three retirements. The most concerning incident involved Marina Stakusic, who suffered heat-related issues and had to leave the court in a wheelchair.
What Comes Next at the Australian Open
With early rounds producing records, comebacks, and physical challenges, the tournament is already revealing its key storylines. Confidence, fitness, and mental resilience are emerging as decisive factors.
For a complete overview of upcoming matches, session times, and the latest results from Melbourne, you can find the full Australian Open schedule and match results on our dedicated tournament page.
