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This was published 4 months ago

Australian Open as it happened: Awesome Alcaraz ousts De Minaur; Svitolina says mental health break fuelled her run

Scott Spits, Marc McGowan and Danny Russell
Updated ,first published

Key Posts

Coming up: What to expect on Wednesday
Vote: Carlos Alcaraz’s title to lose?
Analysis: Tonight’s result doesn’t provide all the answers
In pictures: The best of Chris Hopkins
Jules steps out in post-Lachie Neale life
Decisive moment: The epic set point that pushed Alcaraz ahead
A bit of drama: Alcaraz’s defence of Demon
Analysis: Remember this moment
Pinned post from 10.51pm on Jan 27, 2026
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Demon forces you to ‘win the point three or four times’

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Top seed Carlos Alcaraz is a relieved and satisfied man after reaching the Australian Open semis for the first time.

“I’m just really happy with the way I’m playing,” Alcaraz said in his on-court interview with former world No.1 Jim Courier.

“I was increasing my level every match… talking with my team [through the tournament].

“After the first match [they said] the level you want to play is going to come.

“I’m playing great tennis, [and] really happy to get into the semi-finals.”

Carlos Alcaraz: Primed for the final four.AP

Asked about the challenge of playing the hard-running Australian, Alcaraz said: “It’s really difficult. I started the match really well, hitting the ball [as I wanted].

“You are in a rush all the time [against Alex]… you want to hit the ball as hard as you can – which is impossible against him.

“You have to be really focused on every ball, you have to win the point three or four times.”

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That’s a wrap for day 10

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Good night, folks.

It’s been a bumper day at the Australian Open as temperatures soared in Melbourne and across Victoria. Sadly, for local hopes, the country’s last remaining singles player, men’s world No.6 Alex de Minaur, has exited at the quarter-final stage.

Aryna Sabalenka soared into the women’s semi-finals, while world No.3 Coco Gauff crashed out badly. The red-hot tennis will continue on Wednesday as big names Iga Swiatek, Novak Djokovic and Jannik Sinner strive to reach semi-finals of their own.

We’ll be back with you early on Wednesday, as well as the other final four days of the 2026 tournament.

Svitolina says mental health break fuelled her run

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Elina Svitolina credited her first-ever Australian Open semi-final run to the mental health break she took at the end of last season – a move she believes rejuvenated her. The 31-year-old Ukrainian swept aside last year’s Roland-Garros champion Coco Gauff 6-1, 6-2 in the quarter-finals, ending the American third seed’s bid for a third grand slam title.

Svitolina, the 12th seed, reached the last four at Melbourne Park for the first time after three quarter-final appearances, keeping alive her hopes of a maiden major title.

Keep on keeping on: Elina Svitolina.AP

“It was difficult decision in one hand, but then I spoke with my team and family,” Svitolina said. “If I would keep pushing last year, I think I would not start here. I would be exhausted, and even not sure if I would be injury-free.

“So, for me, it was important to just step back, and I’m very happy that I did that. Of course, now it’s easy to say because the results have been great... but I still think it’s something that helped me.”

Video: Gauff called on a ball kid for help

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The moment when Coco Gauff asked for some on-court assistance tonight ...

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Coming up: What to expect on Wednesday

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The Australian Open quarter-finals will continue on Wednesday with defending champion Jannik Sinner facing American Ben Shelton, while world No.2 Iga Swiatek takes on Elena Rybakina.

Top men’s match: Djokovic v Musetti

Novak Djokovic’s pursuit of a record 25th grand slam title has been smooth sailing so far, with the Serbian yet to drop a set and benefiting from a fourth-round walkover when Jakub Mensik withdrew due to injury.

The 38-year-old faces Italian Lorenzo Musetti in what could be his toughest test yet at Melbourne Park, though history heavily favours Djokovic, who has nine wins from their 10 previous meetings. In their last match, Djokovic claimed his 101st ATP title with a three-set victory at the Hellenic Championship in Athens.

“I think it will be a tough match, for sure. Of course, he’s feeling good. He never lost a set. He had the chance to rest for a few days,” Musetti told reporters.

Vote: Carlos Alcaraz’s title to lose?

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Analysis: Tonight’s result doesn’t provide all the answers

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It will be fascinating to hear from Alex de Minaur after this.

He entered the match in career-best form, and has seemingly attacked this contest the right way, but ends up winning only three games in the final two sets after a competitive start.

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Is “the Demon” getting closer? Was this any different to his other quarter-final defeats? I’m not sure we know the answer tonight.

He realistically needs to try and get his ranking inside the top four to avoid these match-ups occurring this early. But the biggest story tonight is Carlos Alcaraz. He makes his first Australian Open semi-final, and is in imperious form. An Alcaraz-Sinner final edges ever closer.

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Pinned post from 10.51pm on Jan 27, 2026

Demon forces you to ‘win the point three or four times’

By

Top seed Carlos Alcaraz is a relieved and satisfied man after reaching the Australian Open semis for the first time.

“I’m just really happy with the way I’m playing,” Alcaraz said in his on-court interview with former world No.1 Jim Courier.

“I was increasing my level every match… talking with my team [through the tournament].

“After the first match [they said] the level you want to play is going to come.

Ferrero praises ‘Carlitos’ as he turns to golf

By Selma Milovanovic

Juan Carlos Ferrero, who is starting a new professional chapter with golfer Ángel Ayora, says it had been hard watching Carlos Alcaraz, whom he had coached for seven years, compete in the Australian Open from the sidelines on television.

“It’s not easy,” Ferrero said.

“It’s difficult to watch Carlos compete while your whole team sits on the sidelines. It’s not easy what you feel,” Ferrero said in an interview with Spanish-language broadcaster Ten Golf ahead of tonight’s match against Alex de Minaur.

“I needed a change of scenery. I received offers to continue in tennis, but the opportunity arose to work with Ángel Ayora in a world I know and enjoy,” he said.

Ferrero, as reported in Spanish sports daily, Marca, said he was very happy with Alcaraz’s game.

Ruthless Alcaraz wins in three sets

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Game. Set. Match.

The world No.1 closes out the win with an ace. Alcaraz is into the Australian Open final four for the first time. The final Australian, the country’s best player Alex de Minaur, is out of the tournament.

He won’t like scoreline of the final two sets. De Minaur was much better tonight than the scoreboard shows.

Carlos Alcaraz defeats Alex de Minaur 7-5, 6-2, 6-1

Carlos Alcaraz.Getty Images
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Alcaraz just one game away

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Another break of serve. The world No.1 isn’t showing any compassion here. He’s chasing the straight sets result. The Spaniard to serve for the match.

Carlos Alcaraz leads Alex de Minaur 7-5, 6-2, 5-1

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