De Minaur Powers Into Second Round at Australian Open
MELBOURNE, 21 January 2026 – Australia’s top-ranked men’s player, Alex de Minaur, has made a commanding start to his 2026 Australian Open campaign, dispatching lucky loser Mackenzie McDonald in straight sets on Rod Laver Arena. The sixth seed capitalised on a late opponent change to secure a 6-2, 6-2, 6-3 victory in one hour and 48 minutes.
Clinical Start for Home Favourite
De Minaur’s first-round assignment was altered just days before the tournament when his original opponent, former Wimbledon finalist Matteo Berrettini, withdrew due to illness. Facing the 113th-ranked American instead, the world No. 6 produced an efficient performance, striking 32 winners and breaking McDonald’s serve six times throughout the match.
“It was a tricky opponent, and I navigated my way through and did what I needed to do,” de Minaur said post-match. “Overall happy with the performance and ready for the next challenge.” Despite a first-serve percentage of just 52%, the Australian’s relentless court coverage and consistency proved too much for McDonald, who committed 42 unforced errors.
A Revised Path Through the Draw
The Sydneysider’s path through the tournament was initially labelled a “nightmare draw,” beginning with the dangerous Berrettini. With that hurdle cleared by default, his immediate focus shifts to Serbian Hamad Medjedovic, who defeated Argentina’s Mariano Navone in four sets. De Minaur holds a 0-0 record against the 22-year-old.
“He is extremely talented, he’s got a lot of firepower,” de Minaur said of Medjedovic. “Got a big serve, big groundstrokes, so it is gonna be up to me to try and neutralise as much as I can.” Should he advance, a potential third-round clash with 29th seed Frances Tiafoe awaits, followed by possible meetings with Alexander Bublik and world No. 1 Carlos Alcaraz in the later rounds.
Key Facts: Alex de Minaur at Australian Open 2026
| Statistic | Detail |
|---|---|
| First-Round Result | Defeated Mackenzie McDonald (USA) 6-2, 6-2, 6-3 |
| Second-Round Opponent | Hamad Medjedovic (SRB) |
| Current Ranking | World No. 6 (Career High) |
| Best AO Result | Quarter-Final (2025) |
| 2026 Year-to-Date | Win-Loss: 2-1 |
Ambition to Elevate
Entering his tenth Australian Open main draw, de Minaur carries the hopes of a nation seeking its first local men’s champion since 1976. He has spoken openly about his desire to move beyond being a quarter-final contender at majors. “I’m no longer just another player in the main draw,” he stated. “I’m playing to win and be a title contender… It’s about taking the next step and believing in my abilities.”
The 26-year-old believes his familiarity with Melbourne Park, where he has occupied the same locker since his 2017 debut, provides a unique comfort. “It feels like home,” he said. “All these types of things just make it a whole lot easier.”
Frequently Asked Questions
Who was Alex de Minaur originally meant to play?
De Minaur was initially drawn to face Italy’s Matteo Berrettini, a former world No. 6 and 2022 Australian Open semi-finalist. Berrettini withdrew from the tournament due to illness after pulling out of an exhibition match at Melbourne Park.
What is next for Alex de Minaur?
He will face Serbian Hamad Medjedovic in the second round. Medjedovic is ranked 96th in the world and presents a powerful, aggressive game centred around a big serve and groundstrokes.
Has Alex de Minaur ever beaten Carlos Alcaraz or Jannik Sinner?
No. De Minaur holds a combined 0-18 record against the world’s top two players. A potential quarter-final clash with Alcaraz looms if both players advance through their sections of the draw.