Djokovic Creates Double Milestone , Sinner escapes heat & exit in Aus Open 2026

 

Novak Djokovic created a historic double milestone by becoming the first tennis player in the world to register 400 match wins in Grand Slam tournaments. The former world number one reached the fourth round of the Australian Open after securing his 102nd victory at Melbourne Park. On the other hand, Naomi Osaka withdrew from her third-round match due to illness.

In the third round, fourth seed Djokovic faced unseeded Dutch player Botic van de Zandschulp. Djokovic won the first two sets comfortably, 6-3, 6-4. However, the third set proved more challenging for the 24-time Grand Slam champion, as it went into a tie-break. Djokovic held his nerve to win the tie-break 7-4, sealing the match 6-3, 6-4, 7-6 (7-4).

With this win, Djokovic equalled Roger Federer’s record of 102 match victories at the Australian Open. Federer had also achieved 102 wins in Melbourne. After the match, the 10-time Australian Open champion said that circumstances have changed significantly over time and that he has learned many lessons over the past year. He admitted that while he still manages to reach the later stages of Grand Slams, the younger generation is now playing tennis at a different level. He specifically mentioned Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner, acknowledging their exceptional form. However, Djokovic added that once he steps onto the court, anything is possible and he still believes in his chances of winning.

Other seeded players also progressed to the fourth round. Eighth seed Ben Shelton defeated Valentin Vacherot 6-4, 6-4, 7-6 (7-5). Ninth seed Taylor Fritz beat Stan Wawrinka 7-6 (7-5), 2-6, 6-4, 6-4. Fifth seed Lorenzo Musetti edged past Tomas Machac in a five-set thriller, winning 5-7, 6-4, 6-2, 5-7, 6-2.

In the women’s singles, second seed Iga Swiatek advanced after defeating Anna Kalinskaya 6-1, 1-6, 6-1. Fifth seed Elena Rybakina cruised into the fourth round with a 6-2, 6-3 win over Tereza Valentova. Fourth seed Amanda Anisimova beat Peyton Stearns 6-1, 6-4. Sixth seed Jessica Pegula and ninth seed Madison Keys also recorded comfortable victories.

Meanwhile, Naomi Osaka pulled out of her third-round match due to illness, withdrawing about an hour before the match was scheduled to begin. As a result, Madison Inglis advanced to the fourth round without playing. Explaining her decision, the four-time Grand Slam champion said she felt the need to prioritise her health after her previous match. Although she was eager to continue in the tournament, she felt it was important not to risk further damage to her body. She thanked fans, her team, and the tournament organisers for their support.

Meanwhile , In the third round, Jannik Sinner faced unseeded American player Eliot Spizzirri. Sinner lost the first set 4–6 and looked uncomfortable against his opponent right from the start of the match. He struggled to find his rhythm and control the flow of play.

After winning the second set 6–3, Sinner fell behind 1–3 in the third set. At that stage, he was also battling extreme heat, as the temperature crossed 36 degrees Celsius. He appeared visibly tired and sluggish, and suffered muscle cramps, forcing him to call for medical assistance on court.

Soon after, match officials decided to suspend play due to the intense heat. About 10 minutes later, the roof of the Rod Laver Arena was closed and the match resumed, with the court temperature dropping significantly. Sinner no longer faced physical issues and regained his composure.

Despite being under pressure, he went on to control the match comfortably and eventually secured a 4–6, 6–3, 6–4, 6–4 victory to advance to the fourth round of the season’s first Grand Slam.