Considering the results of the last 8 majors, which have been split evenly between Jannick Sinner (AO24, US24, AO25, WC25) and Carlos Alcaraz (RG24, WC24, RG25, US25), everyone expected a men’s bracket dominated by the New Two, a title that is already getting old given the amount of time they have been dominant. After all, Sinner and Alcaraz each hold more ranking points individually than the third and fourth (Zverev and Djokovic) hold combined. The last three Grand Slams of 2025 were contested between the two, and Sinner arrived in Melbourne the two-time reigning champion. Yet what was to unfold was so unbelievable that I cannot write anymore for fear of spoiling it. And I must say, the women’s bracket has not failed to disappoint either.
The dominant force on the women’s side in 2026 has clearly been Aryna Sabalenka. The 27-year-old, fresh off of a US Open championship, has not yet dropped a set in the Melbourne. She is seeking her third title after winning in 2023 and 2024. Not least of the Miami resident’s advantages is her height: at 182 centimeters, she is taller than yours truly and takes full advantage of the leverage on service. Additionally, her very aggressive, high-risk groundstroke play allows her to maintain a mental hold on the game, keeping opponents on the defense whether she wins the point or not. Notably, Sabalenka defeated Canadian Open champion and wildly successful newcomer Victoria Mboko in the round of 16 and fellow Eastern European heavy hitter Elina Svitolina in the semifinals. Facing Sabalenka on Saturday will be Elena Rybakina, who as also survived the ordeal without losing a set. The Wimbledon champion of 2022 and current world number 5, she took down Iga Świątek, the world number 2 who was looking to win her seventh major and complete her career grand slam but lost the second set 6-1 to advance Rybakina to the semifinals. 3 ranked Coco Gauff fell to Svitolina in the quarterfinals, and fellow American and number 4 Amanda Anisimova also lost in the quarterfinals.
Jannick Sinner, though world number 2, came to Melbourne the favorite on account of his holding the Australian title in both 2024 and 2025, as well as the Tour Finals in December. But it was Alcaraz whose path to the final was clearer. Although Carlos had to face number 3 Alexander Zverev in the semifinal, he fought through five sets to reach the final, having already defeated hometown hero and footwork legend Alex de Minaur in the quarterfinals. Novak Djokovic, the world number 4, did not play in the round of 16 due to Jakub Mensik’s injury and finished his quarterfinal early after Lorenzo Musetti was forced to retire. This left Sinner to face him in the semifinal. In this match which will certainly be brought up in every discussion of the greatest tennis player of all time, Novak Djokovic played tennis on more levels than an amateur would have thought imaginable. Not only did he outlast Sinner in a four-hour, five-set match, but he did so strategically. It is telling that the man who was able to conquer Federer and Nadal had a way so simple yet counterintuitive that no opponent would consider it a threat. Simply put, Djokovic cut his losses. The 38-year-old did not fight to break Sinner’s serve after the first break in each game – allowing him to save energy for his own service games. He also deliberately reduced his topspin to bring more unforced errors out of Sinner. In fact, Djokovic was only broken twice, saving 16 break points and playing lights-out in an absolute spectacle that will be remembered among tennis fans for years to come.
So then, Sabalenka vs. Rybakina and Alcaraz vs. Djokovic. Rybakina seeks to prove she is back in the game; Sabalenka wants to maintain form. Alcaraz looks to take his first Australian Open title to become the youngest man to win every major (he is 22); Djokovic hopes to become the oldest Open era grand slam champion as well as the player with the most grand slam victories of all time. The finals will be live at 3:30 AM EST Saturday and Sunday, but ESPN, Tennis Channel, and Tennis TV should have replays and highlights live and streaming on Sunday. I hope you enjoy these matches that may truly go down in history.