Australian Open: Sabalenka beats Chinese qualifier, Alcaraz wins, Bublik continues hot form

Top seed Aryna Sabalenka called her Australian Open record “crazy and surreal” after beating tricky Chinese qualifier Bai Zhuoxuan to reach the third round, while six-time grand slam winner Carlos Alcaraz was put through his paces by a German journeyman before swatting him aside on Wednesday.

A near-flawless Coco Gauff also surged through as three-time finalist Daniil Medvedev also stayed alive, though he needed four sets to keep his grand slam dream on track at a cooler and overcast Melbourne Park after days of hot weather.

In later matches, Hong Kong Open winner and 10th seed Alexander Bublik continued his tremendous form with a 7-5, 6-4, 7-5 victory over Hungarian Marton Fucsovics to extend his winning streak to six matches in 2026, while last year’s finalist Alexander Zverev defeated Alexandre Muller 6-3, 4-6, 6-3, 6-4 to continue his bid for a first grand slam.

And sixth-seeded home hope Alex de Minaur, a quarter-finalist in Melbourne last year, ‌fought from a set down to beat Serbian Hamad Medjedovic 6-7, 6-2, 6-2, 6-1.

Sabalenka was stunned in the final 12 months ago by Madison Keys but otherwise has been almost unbeatable on the Melbourne Park hard courts since 2023.

“That sounds crazy and surreal, to be honest,” said the Belarusian when it was put to her that her Australian Open record in recent years was up there with the likes of Serena Williams and Steffi Graf.