The fourth round of the 2026 Australian Open, Day 9, delivered a compelling mix of farewells, comebacks, and dominant performances. The day was headlined by top seed Jannik Sinner’s commanding victory over Italian qualifier Luciano Darderi. Sinner, the defending champion, showcased his formidable hardcourt game to advance, but the match was a memorable milestone for Darderi, who had already made a deep and surprising run in Melbourne. The young Italian’s hardcourt preparation paid off handsomely in his AO 2026 tilt, earning him a marquee match against the world’s best. In another men’s match, Novak Djokovic paid tribute to the departing Stan Wawrinka, calling the three-time major winner a ‘great champion’ whose legacy will live on, as Wawrinka bid an emotional farewell to the Australian Open with a heartfelt ceremony.
The women’s draw saw significant movement, with Amanda Anisimova continuing her resilient return to the sport’s upper echelon. The fourth seed powered through her match, demonstrating the form that has marked her as a serious contender. Her surge was part of a broader trend of seeds advancing, though not without drama. In a match that captured attention, Wang Xinyu, simply listed as ‘Wang tennis’ in many searches, also secured a convincing victory, toppling a seeded opponent to continue her impressive run in Melbourne. The day was not without upset, however, as former champion Jelena Ostapenko was eliminated, underscoring the unpredictable nature of the tournament.
Fifth seed Elena Rybakina, a former Wimbledon champion, kept her campaign alive with a straight-sets win over Elise Mertens. The victory moves Rybakina, often trending simply as ‘Rybina’, one step closer to ending her quarterfinal drought at this event. Her powerful game earned high praise from commentator Jim Courier, who bestowed upon her the ‘Stealth Bomber’ tag for her devastating and efficient play. Her progress is being closely watched as she looks to add an Australian Open title to her resume.
American interest was high with a marquee all-U.S. clash between Jessica Pegula and Madison Keys, while world number one Iga Swiatek also progressed. The day also featured a poignant moment involving teenager Mirra Andreeva, who was controversially booed by the crowd post-match, leading to official clarification from tournament organizers. As the quarterfinal picture comes into focus, the stories of established champions like Sinner and rising forces like Anisimova define a tournament that continues to deliver high-stakes drama.