The Australian Open 2026 entered its decisive phase on Monday with several top seeds and rising stars booking their places in the quarterfinals. World No. 2 Iga Swiatek, reigning champion Jannik Sinner, American Amanda Anisimova, Kazakhstan’s Elena Rybakina, Italy’s Lorenzo Musetti, and Jessica Pegula all registered convincing victories to secure last-eight berths.
Swiatek eliminates Inglis, eyes career Grand Slam
Second seed Iga Swiatek powered past Australian qualifier Maddison Inglis 6-0, 6-3 on Rod Laver Arena to reach her 14th career Grand Slam quarterfinal and third at Melbourne Park. The Polish star dominated the opening set, breaking serve repeatedly and sealing it with a spectacular backhand overhead winner. Inglis showed resilience in the second set, but Swiatek’s superior shot-making and consistency proved decisive.
Swiatek, a six-time Grand Slam champion with four French Open titles, one Wimbledon and one US Open crown, is now three wins away from completing a career Grand Slam. She will face World No. 5 Elena Rybakina in the quarterfinals, a player she leads 6-5 in their head-to-head, though Rybakina won their only previous Australian Open clash in 2023.
Sinner extends winning streak to 19 matches
Italy’s Jannik Sinner continued his remarkable run at Melbourne Park, defeating compatriot Luciano Darderi 6-1, 6-3, 7-6(2) at Margaret Court Arena. Despite a brief dip in form in the third set, Sinner regained control in the tie-break to close out the match in two hours and nine minutes.
The reigning champion, who has lifted the Australian Open trophy in 2024 and 2025, struck 46 winners including 19 aces, underlining his dominance. With this victory, Sinner extended his unbeaten streak at the tournament to 18 matches and overall win streak to 19 since his last defeat in Shanghai last October. He now advances to his fourth Australian Open quarterfinal, where he will face either Ben Shelton or Casper Ruud, as he chases a third consecutive title — a feat only Novak Djokovic has achieved once before in the Open Era.
Anisimova books maiden AO quarter
American Amanda Anisimova reached her first Australian Open quarterfinal after defeating China’s Wang Xinyu 7-6(4), 6-4 at John Cain Arena. The 23-year-old, who was a finalist at Wimbledon and the US Open last year, has yet to drop a set in Melbourne this season. Her aggressive baseline play and composure under pressure carried her through against Wang’s spirited resistance.
Anisimova will face compatriot Jessica Pegula in the last eight. Pegula ended Madison Keys’ title defence with a 6-3, 6-4 victory in the first all-American fourth-round clash at Melbourne Park since 2020. The sixth seed improved her record to 8-2 in Grand Slam fourth-round matches and advanced to her fourth Australian Open quarterfinal, her first since 2023. Pegula leads Anisimova 3-0 in their head-to-head, with both players aiming for a maiden semifinal appearance at the tournament.
Rybakina cruises past Mertens
Kazakhstan’s Elena Rybakina produced a commanding performance to defeat Elise Mertens 6-1, 6-3 in just over an hour. The World No. 5 dominated the opening set with relentless serving and powerful forehands, conceding only one game. Mertens fought harder in the second set, but Rybakina’s pressure and clinical finishing proved too strong. The Kazakh star sealed victory with a flurry of winners, setting up a blockbuster quarterfinal against Swiatek.
Musetti sets up Djokovic clash
Italy’s Lorenzo Musetti registered one of the standout wins of the day, defeating ninth seed Taylor Fritz 6-2, 7-5, 6-4 to reach his first Australian Open quarterfinal. Musetti showcased variety and consistency, winning 84 percent of points on his first serve and striking 13 aces. The 21-year-old broke Fritz early in the opening set and maintained control throughout, closing out the match without major resistance.
Musetti will now face 10-time Australian Open champion Novak Djokovic, who advanced after Czech teenager Jakub Mensik withdrew due to injury. Djokovic holds a commanding 9-1 record against Musetti and enters the clash on a six-match winning streak.