Melbourne witnessed a day of high-intensity tennis as the Australian Open’s sixth day unfolded with gripping matches and emotional victories. Defending champion Aryna Sabalenka faced unexpected challenges while Carlos Alcaraz continued his determined march toward Grand Slam glory.
World number one Sabalenka experienced what she described as an emotionally turbulent match against unseeded Anastasia Potapova. The Belarusian powerhouse required two tense tie-breakers (7-6, 7-6) to secure her place in the fourth round after a grueling two-hour battle under the Australian sun. ‘I was emotionally all over the place,’ confessed the four-time Grand Slam champion. ‘It was one of those days where you have to fight for every ball.’ Despite the struggle, Sabalenka expressed genuine enjoyment in the competitive challenge.
The victory sets up an intriguing encounter with Canadian teenager Victoria Mboko, who demonstrated remarkable composure in her three-set victory over Denmark’s Clara Tauson. Meanwhile, American sensation Coco Gauff continues to impress, describing her current form as ‘near perfect’ as she prepares to face compatriot Hailey Baptiste.
In the men’s draw, Spanish phenom Carlos Alcaraz navigated past a testing second-round match against Yannick Hanfmann (7-6, 6-3, 6-2) and now faces French 32nd seed Corentin Moutet. The 22-year-old, pursuing a career Grand Slam, acknowledged his gradual adaptation to Melbourne conditions. ‘I’m still getting used to the conditions and improving with every match,’ Alcaraz stated, expressing optimism about his progression through the tournament.
The evening session promises compelling matchups with Germany’s Alexander Zverev facing Britain’s Cameron Norrie, while home favorite Alex de Minaur enjoys prime-time billing against American threat Frances Tiafoe. Russian contender Daniil Medvedev, a three-time finalist in Melbourne, prepares for a challenging encounter against Hungary’s Fabian Marozsan as he seeks to overcome past disappointments at this venue.