Medvedev Conquers Melbourne: A Promising Start to 2026 Sets the Pace
19 January 2026
Medvedev's strong start in Melbourne
Daniil Medvedev wasted little time preserving his momentum at the Australian Open in Melbourne on Monday, continuing the revival he kicked off at the start of the year. The former world No. 1 edged past the Dutchman Jasper de Jong in a 3-set battle, winning 7-5, 6-2, 7-6 to reach the second round and lift his 2026 record to 6-0. Medvedev, who began the year by lifting the Brisbane title, converted 7 of 13 break chances in the match, underscoring a sharpening edge as he returns to top form.
In post-match remarks shared by the ATP Tour, he said: "Today was not easy. The Grand Slam opener always feels different. Last year I started slowly in many majors except Melbourne, so I’m happy to string together consecutive sets despite the twists and turns. The court felt slow at times, so breaking serve was a shared challenge for both players."
Medvedev now heads into Round 2 where he faces Frenchman Quinten Halys, who overcame Alejandro Tabilo in a 6-2, 6-2, 7-6 victory to book the next showdown.
Meanwhile, sixth seed Alex de Minaur did not waste any time either, cruising past American Mackenzie McDonald 6-2, 6-2, 6-3 in a display that suggested a strong Australian charge for Melbourne. De Minaur will meet the aspiring youngster Hamid Mededovic in the following round, adding another intriguing matchup to the schedule.
In the same section of the draw, first-round action produced a swarm of notable results: Hungarian Fabian Marozsan defeated Arthur Rinderknecht 6-3, 6-4, 6-7, 6-4; Kazakh Alexander Shevchenko toppled Elias Ymer 3-6, 7-5, 6-4, 6-1; and Chinese talent Jiang Junjin beat Roberto Bautista Agut 6-4, 6-7, 6-4, 6-0. Riley Opelka dismissed rising star Nikolay Bodrov Kir 6-4, 6-3, 6-4 as part of a flurry of opening-round action.
Notably, seventh seed Felix Auger-Aliassime withdrew from his match due to severe cramps, opening the door for new narratives to emerge early in Melbourne. The day’s results collectively signaled a crowded, high-energy start to the tournament with several stars already hitting peak form.
As the stadiums buzzed and the ball kept its blistering pace, Medvedev reminded everyone that a January run can set the tone for a season. And if you blink, you might miss a winner—the ball traveled faster than a rumor in a press room.
Punchlines (sniper-style): 1) The ball moved so fast in Melbourne this morning that even coffee needed caffeine. 2) Medvedev didn’t just bring a racket to the party—he brought a reminder that the only thing hotter than the Australian sun is his serve in 2026.
