Australian Open 2026: Quarterfinals Fire Up Amid Scorching Melbourne Heatwave

MELBOURNE, 27 January 2026 – The Australian Open has reached its boiling point, both on and off the court. As the tournament’s quarterfinal stage commenced on Day 10, players battled not only their opponents but also a brutal heatwave, with temperatures soaring to a predicted 45°C – the city’s hottest day in two years. The action, concentrated on roofed stadiums to avoid suspensions, featured the world’s top seeds and a surging local favourite.

Men’s Draw: Alcaraz, De Minaur Clash in Blockbuster Quarterfinal

The day’s centrepiece was a highly anticipated all-court battle between world No. 1 Carlos Alcaraz and Australian hope Alex de Minaur. The sixth-seeded de Minaur, riding a wave of home support, entered the match having powered into the last eight for the first time, a feat achieved with a dominant straight-sets victory over Frances Tiafoe. Alcaraz, seeking his first Australian Open crown, has been in imperious form, not dropping a set en route to the quarterfinals.

In other men’s action, two-time defending champion Jannik Sinner secured his passage to the quarterfinals, marking his 15th consecutive win at Melbourne Park – a streak placing him alongside legends Roger Federer, Novak Djokovic, and Andre Agassi. He will face American Ben Shelton, who advanced after a fourth-round victory over Casper Ruud. The bottom half of the draw saw a major upset, with young American Learner Tien stunning former finalist Daniil Medvedev. Novak Djokovic, awarded a walkover after Jakub Mensik’s withdrawal, awaits fifth seed Lorenzo Musetti.

Women’s Draw: Sabalenka, Swiatek on Semifinal Collision Course

The women’s quarterfinals delivered drama and confirmed the dominance of the top seeds. World No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka muscled past American teenager Iva Jovic to reach the semifinals, accelerating her bid for a third Melbourne title. She will face Ukraine’s Elina Svitolina, who produced a stunning comeback to defeat third seed Coco Gauff in three sets.

In the other half of the draw, world No. 2 Iga Swiatek ended the fairytale run of Australian qualifier Maddison Inglis with a rampant display, setting up a quarterfinal clash with fifth seed Elena Rybakina. The American duo of Jessica Pegula and Amanda Anisimova will contest the other quarterfinal, after Pegula dethroned defending champion and good friend Madison Keys, and Anisimova swept past China’s Wang Xinyu.

Key Quarterfinal Matchups

Extreme Heat Dominates Off-Court Narrative

The Extreme Heat Policy was activated for the second time this tournament, leading to schedule adjustments and the suspension of play on non-roofed outer courts. All singles matches were moved to Rod Laver Arena and Margaret Court Arena, ensuring the show went on despite the oppressive conditions. Players faced a unique physical challenge, with hydration and recovery becoming as crucial as tactics.

Around the Grounds

In doubles, Australian wildcards James McCabe and Li Tu scored a major upset, knocking out top seeds Julian Cash and Lloyd Glasspool. Defending mixed doubles champions Olivia Gadecki and John Peers kept their title defence alive, advancing to the semifinals. Britain’s Cam Norrie saw his singles campaign end in the third round with a four-set loss to Alexander Zverev.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the Extreme Heat Policy?

The Australian Open can suspend matches on outside courts when the Wet Bulb Globe Temperature (WBGT) exceeds a certain threshold, prioritising player health and safety. Roofed stadiums allow play to continue.

Who are the defending champions?

The defending champions from Australian Open 2025 are Jannik Sinner (men’s singles) and Madison Keys (women’s singles). Both were in action this year, with Sinner advancing and Keys being eliminated in the fourth round.

What is the prize money for the winner?

The tournament boasts a record prize pool of AUD $111.5 million. The men’s and women’s singles champions will each take home AUD $4,150,000.