Day eight of the 2026 Australian Open delivered four authoritative performances from the top of the draw to set up Tuesday’s quarter-finals in that half.
Carlos Alcaraz got through his toughest match in a fortnight by dispatching Tommy Paul in straight sets, Alex de Minaur produced a ruthless demolition of Alexander Bublik in front of a rousing home crowd, and Alexander Zverev looked increasingly comfortable brushing aside Francisco Cerúndolo.
The shock came at Rod Laver Arena, where 20-year-old Learner Tien dismantled Daniil Medvedev, not a scrape-by upset, but a straight-set wipeout that puts him in his first Grand Slam quarter-final.
Elsewhere, tomorrow’s schedule is without Novak Djokovic as he is already in the quarter-finals after Jakub Menšík pulled out injured, giving the Serb a walkover and an extra day with his feet up.
Australian Open 2026 Results Day 8
| Winner | Loser | Do |
|---|---|---|
| Carlos Alcaraz (1) | Tommy Paul (19) | 7-6(6) 6-4 7-5 |
| Alex de Minaur (6) | Alexander Bublik (10) | 6-4 6-1 6-1 |
| Alexander Zverev (3) | Francisco Cerundolo (18) | 6-2 6-4 6-4 |
| Student Ten (25) | Daniel Medvedev (11) | 6-4 6-0 6-3 |
Daily summary
Carlos Alcaraz (1) def. Tommy Paul (19) 7-6(6), 6-4, 7-5
World No. 1 Carlos Alcaraz navigated his toughest test yet, overcoming a slow start to beat Tommy Paul in straight sets (2 hours 44 minutes) and reach his third straight AO quarter-final.
Alcaraz is yet to drop a set and delivered a strong 70% first-serve percentage (his second best in a fortnight), faced no break points in sets 2-3 and won tight moments
I thought both guys played well, but Alcaraz’s explosive shots and patience after trailing early (broken in game 1 of set 1) made the difference.
Paul pressed hard with solid serving and defense, but lacked conviction on key points. The Spaniard advances against Alex de Minaur in the quarters.
I think he started off pretty strong. In the first game, the serve, I thought I played a good game, but he came with really strong shots, really flat, and for me it was a little difficult. But I stayed there the whole time and I knew I was going to get my chances, and I tried to take them. I think I did. Overall, I think it was a really high level of tennis from both sides, but I’m just very happy that I got it in straight sets. Alcaraz on his win.
Match statistics
| Key statistics | Carlos Alcaraz | Tommy Paul |
|---|---|---|
| Winner | 35 | 27 |
| Unforced errors | 28 | 35 |
| Ace | 2 | 7 |
| Double mistake | 0 | 5 |
| 1st serving % | 70% (66/94) | 54% (59/109) |
| 1st Serve point won | 79% (52/66) | 81% (48/59) |
| 2nd serve point won | 68% (28/19) | 46% (23/50) |
| Breakpoints saved | 50% (1/2) | 70% (7/10) |
| Service game | 94% (16/17) | 82% (14/17) |
| 1st return point won | 19% (11/59) | 21% (14/66) |
| 2nd return point won | 54% (27/50) | 32% (9/28) |
| Break point won | 30% (3/10) | 50% (1/2) |
| Return game | 18% (3/17) | 6% (1/17) |
| Points won | Alcaraz | Paul |
| Pressure points | 33% (4/12) | 67% (8/12) |
| Service points | 76% (71/94) | 65% (71/109) |
| Return points | 35% (38/109) | 24% (23/94) |
| Net points | 86% (22/19) | 78% (25/32) |
| Total points | 54% (109/203) | 46% (94/203) |
| Match point saved | 0 | 0 |
| Max points in a row | 6 | 5 |
| Total game | 56% (19/34) | 44% (15/34) |
| Max games in a row | 3 | 2 |
Highlights
Alex de Minaur (6) def. Alexander Bublik (10) 6-4, 6-1, 6-1
Home favorite Alex de Minaur got sweet revenge on Alexander Bublik with a clinical demolition (just 6 games conceded) to reach his second consecutive AO quarter-final and seventh major QF overall.
This was just his third career win over a top-10 player at a Slam, as he usually comes up short when he comes up against someone of that caliber. I’m not sure Bublik is a real top 10 guy over 5 sets though, but I really expected him to offer more resistance than just 6 games but he struggled with slower conditions and faded badly.
De Minaur was relentless from the baseline, tracking drop shots and fending off Bublik’s power (Bublik fouled repeatedly at the net, especially in sets 2-3).
Match statistics
| Key statistics | Alexander Bublik | Alex de Minaur |
|---|---|---|
| Winner | 23 | 19 |
| Unforced errors | 36 | 10 |
| Ace | 6 | 5 |
| Double mistake | 4 | 1 |
| 1st serving % | 64% (52/81) | 60% (37/62) |
| 1st Serve point won | 54% (28/52) | 81% (30/37) |
| 2nd serve point won | 41% (29/12) | 72% (18/25) |
| Breakpoints saved | 45% (5/11) | (0/0) |
| 1st return point won | 19% (7/37) | 46% (24/52) |
| 2nd return point won | 28% (7/25) | 59% (17/29) |
| Break point won | (0/0) | 55% (6/11) |
| Return game | 0% (0/12) | 50% (6/12) |
| Points won | Bublik | of Minaur |
| Pressure points | 45% (5/11) | 55% (6/11) |
| Service points | 49% (40/81) | 77% (48/62) |
| Return points | 23% (14/62) | 51% (41/81) |
| Net points | 58% (14/24) | 67% (8/12) |
| Total points | 38% (54/143) | 62% (89/143) |
| Match point saved | 2 | 0 |
| Max points in a row | 4 | 7 |
| Total game | 25% (6/24) | 75% (18/24) |
| Max games in a row | 1 | 7 |
Highlights
Alexander Zverev (3) def. Francisco Cerúndolo (18) 6-2, 6-4, 6-4
Last year’s finalist Alexander Zverev delivered his best performance of the tournament, cruising past Francisco Cerúndolo in straight sets to reach his 16th major QF and fifth AO last eight.
Zverev was solid on serve (79% first-serve points won), mixed serves and volleys/drops effectively and broke several times while absorbing pressure. His ground game also looks more solid, still early as it usually falters against the true elite, but his forehand has looked decent so far.
He moves on to face Learner Tien in the QF.
Match statistics
| Key statistics | Alexander Zverev | Francisco Cerundolo |
|---|---|---|
| Winner | 35 | 19 |
| Unforced errors | 29 | 32 |
| Ace | 7 | 0 |
| Double mistake | 2 | 0 |
| 1st serving % | 77% (58/75) | 65% (61/94) |
| 1st Serve point won | 79% (46/58) | 66% (40/61) |
| 2nd serve point won | 59% (10/17) | 42% (14/33) |
| Breakpoints saved | 50% (1/2) | 38% (3/8) |
| 1st return point won | 34% (21/61) | 21% (12/58) |
| 2nd return point won | 58% (19/33) | 41% (7/17) |
| Break point won | 63% (5/8) | 50% (1/2) |
| Return game | 36% (5/14) | 7% (1/14) |
| Pressure points | 60% (6/10) | 40% (4/10) |
| Service points | 75% (56/75) | 57% (54/94) |
| Return points | 43% (40/94) | 25% (19/75) |
| Net points | 87% (20/23) | 58% (11/19) |
| Total points | 57% (96/169) | 43% (73/169) |
| Match point saved | 0 | 1 |
| Max points in a row | 7 | 5 |
| Total game | 64% (18/28) | 36% (10/28) |
| Max games in a row | 5 | 2 |
Highlights
Learner Tien (25) def. Daniil Medvedev (11) 6-4, 6-0, 6-3
The “shock” of the day was 20-year-old American learner Tien dismantling three-time AO finalist Daniil Medvedev in straight sets for his first Grand Slam quarterfinal (the youngest men’s QF at the AO since Nick Kyrgios in 2015).
I put shock in quotes that although she was undefeated in 2026 going in, Meddy’s AO was not in line with how he played in Brisbane, he was just ok in the opening rounds, very shaky against Marozsan, who somehow managed to blow a two set lead and the Russian said he didn’t like the conditions.
Tien doesn’t get as much pressure as the likes of Fonseca, but his results are easily on par with the Brazilian’s. He dominated with 33 winners to 16 unforced errors (vs. Medvedev’s 15-30), converted 70% break points and became the first player to break Medvedev at a Slam (6-0 set 2) as he dominated from start to finish.
Match statistics
| Key statistics | Medvedev | Ten |
|---|---|---|
| Winner | 15 | 33 |
| Unforced errors | 30 | 16 |
| Ace | 6 | 5 |
| Double mistake | 6 | 1 |
| 1st serving % | 68% (58/85) | 65% (44/68) |
| 1st Serve point won | 59% (34/58) | 70% (31/44) |
| 2nd serve point won | 26% (7/27) | 67% (16/24) |
| Breakpoints saved | 30% (3/10) | 0% (0/1) |
| 1st return point won | 30% (13/44) | 41% (24/58) |
| 2nd return point won | 33% (8/24) | 74% (20/27) |
| Break point won | 100% (1/1) | 70% (7/10) |
| Return game | 8% (1/12) | 54% (7/13) |
| Pressure points | 36% (4/11) | 64% (7/11) |
| Service points | 48% (41/85) | 69% (47/68) |
| Return points | 31% (21/68) | 52% (44/85) |
| Net points | 50% (28/14) | 82% (9/11) |
| Total points | 41% (62/153) | 59% (91/153) |
| Match point saved | 1 | 0 |
| Max points in a row | 6 | 9 |
| Total game | 28% (7/25) | 72% (18/25) |
| Max games in a row | 3 | 11 |
Highlights
Australian Open 2026 Day 9 Round of 16 matches
- Lorenzo Musetti (5) vs Taylor Fritz (9)
- Ben Shelton (8) vs Casper Ruud (12)
- Luciano Darderi (22) vs Jannik Sinner (2)
