Tennis News

Medvedev finds his range, stays on course for Brisbane title

Daniil Medvedev recovered from a slow start on Friday before remaining on track in his title pursuit at the Brisbane International presented by ANZ.

The top seed was initially outgunned by lucky loser Kamil Majchrzak in the first set, but adopted a more aggressive approach to prevail 6-7(4), 6-3, 6-2 and book his spot in the semi-finals. Medvedev, who reached the championship match in his only previous appearance in Brisbane in 2019, is chasing his 22nd tour-level trophy this week after a strong finish to 2025.

“I’m super happy with myself” 😊@DaniilMedwed comes back from a set down to defeat Majchrzak in Brisbane 👏@BrisbaneTennis | #BrisbaneInternational pic.twitter.com/4hLEdEv5eK

— ATP Tour (@atptour) January 9, 2026

“I think it was a high-quality match. I would honestly say it was a Top 10 match in terms of shotmaking,” said Medvedev, the former No. 1 player in the PIF ATP Rankings. “I’m happy with myself… I managed to stay composed and hit some great shots to win the match.”

By reaching his 52nd tour-level semi-final on hard courts, Medvedev broke his tie with Gael Monfils for the second most among active players, trailing only Novak Djokovic (127). Against Majchrzak, Medvedev dropped just five points on serve, according to Infosys ATP Stats, in the deciding set.

Medvedev next plays Alex Michelsen, who edged countryman Sebastian Korda 6-3, 7-6(7) for his 50th tour-level win on hard courts. Michelsen was rock solid behind serve, saving the only break point he faced, but he was significantly helped by Korda’s 37 unforced errors during their one-hour, 39-minute clash.

In the bottom half of the draw, Aleksandar Kovacevic and Brandon Nakashima scored contrasting wins to set an all-American semi-final in Brisbane. Kovacevic weathered 24 aces from 6’8” Frenchman Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard to eventually prevail 7-6(3), 4-6, 6-3, while Nakashima eased past Belgian qualifier Raphael Collignon 6-3, 6-3 to reach his 10th ATP Tour semi-final.

“I’m super happy with the way I played. I knew it was going to be a very tough match, he had a couple of great wins here already,” Nakashima said of Collignon, who downed two-time Brisbane champion Grigor Dimitrov in the second round. “I knew I had to bring my best game, and I’m happy I did it in the end.”

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United Cup SF Preview: USA v Poland, Belgium v Switzerland

Hubert Hurkacz and Iga Swiatek arrive in the United Cup semi-finals with a point to prove on Saturday in Sydney.

Last year in the final, Taylor Fritz struck late in a deciding-set tie-break to clinch the title for Team USA after Coco Gauff had earlier beaten Swiatek — spoiling Poland’s bid for the trophy. If Hurkacz and Swiatek can exact revenge this time, they’ll ensure a new name is engraved on the trophy on Sunday.

In the first tie of the day, three-time major champion Stan Wawrinka will aim to add another memorable chapter to the early part of his farewell season when Team Switzerland meets Team Belgium. Belinda Bencic, unbeaten in singles and in mixed doubles, faces Elise Mertens before Wawrinka tackles Zizou Bergs later in the tie.

Your final four are confirmed 🤝

What a day we have in store! Who do you think is going through to the final? pic.twitter.com/catClF5jfr

— United Cup (@UnitedCupTennis) January 9, 2026

USA vs. Poland [5:30 p.m.] The opening match of this tie pits two former WTA Finals winners and rivals — Iga Swiatek and Coco Gauff — against each other, with Swiatek looking to extend her perfect 3-0 run at this year’s United Cup.

Swiatek has been a standout for Poland, producing authoritative singles wins and helping her side reach the semis for the fourth consecutive edition. While Gauff suffered defeat to Jessica Bouzas Maneiro in the group stage, she has been central to the United States’ defence of its title.

Fritz and Hurkacz will then renew their rivalry in a match loaded with narrative. Fritz holds a 4-2 Lexus ATP Head2Head lead, while Hurkacz has been a constant threat this week following his return from knee surgery, producing one of the tournament’s biggest upsets with a straight-sets victory over World No. 3 Alexander Zverev.

With both teams brimming with firepower and history, this tie carries a strong revenge theme: Swiatek and Hurkacz aiming to overturn past disappointment against American foes who lifted the trophy in Sydney last season.

Switzerland vs. Belgium [10 a.m.] Bencic has been the driving force behind Switzerland’s run, remaining unbeaten across three singles matches and partnering Jakub Paul for three mixed doubles victories — two of them in decisive rubbers. The 28-year-old will look to level her rivalry with Elise Mertens, who claimed their only previous meeting, though Bencic is well aware the tie could once again hinge on the mixed doubles.

“He’s a great doubles player right now,” Bencic said of Paul. “I knew how good he can play. It’s more impressive on the court. He’s definitely helping me so much. Stan is, of course, coaching us great. We have great energy on the court.”

Wawrinka, who logged more than seven-and-a-half hours in Perth (one win, two losses), opted for another rest day on Friday after arriving in Sydney. With extreme heat forecast, the tie has been moved forward by 30 minutes to a 10 a.m. start, and the 40-year-old will need to be fully refreshed for his clash with Bergs.

“It’s going to be really hot and humid,” Wawrinka told ATPTour.com in Sydney. “The positive thing is that there’s a roof, so the sun is not going to be directly on us. We expect some really tough conditions, but we are ready for it. It’s going to be the same for us and Belgium, and I think it’s going to be a big fight.”

Bergs is full of confidence after straight-sets victories over World No. 5 Felix Auger-Aliassime and No. 18 Jakub Mensik en route to the semi-finals, marking the first time in his career he has defeated Top 20 opponents in back-to-back matches.

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Wawrinka handed Australian Open wildcard in final season

Stan Wawrinka receives an Australian Open wildcard as he begins the final season of his career, but Australian Nick Kyrgios misses out.

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Gritty De Minaur sends Australia-Poland United Cup QF to mixed doubles

Australia’s Alex de Minaur produced one of the grittiest opening-set performances of his career Friday night in Sydney to set up a 6-4, 4-6 6-4 win over Poland’s Hubert Hurkacz and send the last United Cup quarter-final to a deciding mixed doubles.

The World No. 6 saved all nine break points he faced across his first four service games – including four in the second game of the match – to keep Australia alive after former World No. 1 Iga Swiatek brushed aside Aussie teen Maya Joint 6-1, 6-1.

“Nights like these… these are just the best,” De Minaur said. “I love playing here. The atmosphere from the first ball to the last was amazing.

“I just had to fight him off from the first point to the last. It was a huge mental effort and we’re still alive. I’m glad I was able to bounce back after losing that second set. I had some dark thoughts in my head.”

The tie will now be decided by the mixed doubles, with the winner advancing to Saturday night’s semi-final against defending champion United States. None of the four singles players will compete in the mixed doubles. Australians John-Patrick Smith and Storm Hunter will take on Jan Zielinski and Katarzyna Kawa.

Playing his first tournament since last year’s grass season, Hurkcaz was near untouchable in his first three service games when he dropped just one point on serve. But growing increasingly frustrated by his inability to cash in on his chances in return games, his unforced error count ticked up in the closing stages of the set.

After De Minaur saved three break points to level at 4-4, the 26-year-old claimed the decisive break and then won 21 consecutive points on serve before unexpectedly dropping serve at the end of the second set.

But inspired by deafening roars from Aussie fans inside Ken Rosewall Arena, De Minaur went into lockdown mode with just two unforced errors in the final set en route to his eighth victory in 11 United Cup singles appearances.

Earlier, Swiatek overpowered Australia rising star Joint, capturing a convincing 6-1, 6-1 win in just 57 minutes at the United Cup quarterfinals.

From start to finish, the World No. 2’s experience prevailed as the Swiatek earned her second career win over Joint: Swiatek won 6-0, 6-2 in the Seoul semifinals, a tournament she’d go on to win. Swiatek also earned her 15th singles win at the United Cup.

“I think the intensity — the balls get quite heavy so I’m happy that I was always pushing forward,” Swiatek said on court. “I got pretty confident at the end so for sure it was a good match.”

Joint held serve to have an initial 1-0 lead, but after, the Swiatek show ensued. The six-time Grand Slam champion overwhelmingly controlled the rallies, often forcing Joint to scramble from side-to-side just to keep the rally alive.

Swiatek won six straight games to win the first set with a breadstick in 26 minutes and had garnered “Iga” chants from her Polish supporters early on into the match. Her set point, a cross-court forehand winner that sped past an outstretched Joint, summed up the match best.

In the second, Swiatek and Joint traded holds, the latter of which earned some encouragement from the home crowd. Similarly, Swiatek recaptured the lead with a break, and didn’t look back, en route to the double breadstick win.

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Sabalenka beats Keys to reach Brisbane semi-final

World number one Aryna Sabalenka continues her Australian Open preparations by beating Madison Keys to reach the Brisbane semi-finals.

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Musetti, chasing first title since 2022, meets Rublev in Hong Kong SF showdown

Is Lorenzo Musetti poised to finally end his near four-year wait for an ATP Tour title at this week’s Bank of China Hong Kong Tennis Open?

The top-seeded Italian took another assured step forward on Friday, brushing aside home favourite Coleman Wong 6-4, 6-4 to book his place in the semi-finals. Musetti, who has not lifted an ATP Tour title since he won two in 2022, can now look forward to a meeting with former Hong Kong champion Andrey Rublev.

“I knew I had to be really, really solid from the beginning,” said Musetti, who improved to 2-0 in his Lexus ATP Head2Head series with Wong. “It was a really close match, but I stayed really focused until the end. So I’m really happy and proud to start 2026 well.”

Rublev hit 22 winners and saved the only break point he faced, according to Infosys ATP Stats, in his 6-3, 6-4 clinic against Nuno Borges. The third-seeded Rublev won his only previous meeting with Musetti in Dubai in 2020, but the Italian is a considerably improved player since then.

“I’m happy to be back in the semi-finals here in Hong Kong,” said 2024 champion Rublev. “Lorenzo is playing unbelievable the last couple of years, he’s getting better and better. When I played him the first time, he was super young, so it doesn’t really count. I need to be really ready if I want to have a chance for a good fight.”

As well as reaching a career-high No. 6 in the PIF ATP Rankings in 2025, Musetti also reached three finals. He let slip two championship points against Alejandro Tabilo in Chengdu and later fell to Novak Djokovic in a gruelling three-hour Athens final.

Alexander Bublik moved one step closer to a debut inside the world’s Top 10 when he defeated Shang Juncheng 6-1, 7-6(2) in 85 minutes. Into his 23rd tour-level semi-final, the Kazakhstani could jump one spot to No. 10 if he wins the title at the ATP 250 event.

Access denied ❌@Hkto_mens | #BOCKTO2026 pic.twitter.com/I1dhYkPzWA

— ATP Tour (@atptour) January 9, 2026

“It’s very tough to play Jerry when he’s in the mood. In the second set, he was playing unbelievable tennis,” Bublik said of Shang. “I hope I can maintain [the momentum]. I hope to continue well.”

Bublik will next face American Marcos Giron. He led Michael Mmoh 6-3, 1-0 when the latter was forced to retire due to injury.

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United Cup schedule update: Saturday start brought forward

The start time for Saturday’s play at the United Cup has been brought forward.

With high temperatures forecast for Saturday 10 January in the afternoon, the start time of the Belgium-Switzerland Day Session semi-final will begin at 10 a.m. Previously, the tie was scheduled for 10:30 a.m.

Gates and arena doors will open from 9 a.m.

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Wawrinka receives Australian Open wild card

Australian Open tournament organisers announced Friday that they have awarded Stan Wawrinka a main draw wild card into the season’s first major.

The Swiss star has made a good start to his year, helping Switzerland to the semi-finals of the United Cup. His country will play Belgium Saturday for a spot in the final of the mixed-teams event.

Wawrinka owns a 43-18 record at the Australian Open according to the Infosys ATP Win/Loss Index. In 2014, he won his first major title at Melbourne Park, beating Novak Djokovic and Rafael Nadal en route to the trophy.

This will be the 20th time Wawrinka competes in singles at the Australian Open. Last year he fell in four tight sets in the first round to Lorenzo Sonego.

The No. 156 player in the PIF ATP Rankings has missed just one edition of the tournament since 2006 and has advanced to at least the quarter-finals five times. The 40-year-old recently announced that 2026 will be his last year competing on the ATP Tour.

Read Feature: Why Wawrinka’s last dance will be more salsa than slow waltz

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Tournament chiefs admit errors after wildcard's dire display goes viral

The organisers of a professional women’s tournament which has gone viral because of a wildcard player’s poor performance acknowledge she should not have been allowed to play.

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De Minaur braces for Hurkacz test in United Cup QF

Will Alex de Minaur be the next player caught in Hubert Hurkacz’s United Cup serving barrage when the pair meets in Sydney on Friday?

The 28-year-old Pole has made an emphatic return from a seven-month injury layoff, firing 21 aces in each of his two-set wins over World No. 3 Alexander Zverev and Tallon Griekspoor. Backed by teammate Iga Swiatek — who has also won both of her singles matches — Team Poland, two-time defending runner-up, has surged into its third straight quarter-final.

Standing in their way is home favourite Team Australia, spearheaded by De Minaur and 19-year-old rising star Maya Joint. The tie gets underway with the women’s singles at 5:30 p.m. local time.

De Minaur can draw confidence from his 2-1 Lexus ATP Head2Head edge over Hurkacz, including a win in their most recent meeting at Indian Wells last year. Since then, Hurkacz has undergone knee surgery and is competing as the No. 85 in the PIF ATP Rankings, but his performances in Sydney have underlined why he is a former Top 10 player.

After reaching the semi-finals of the Nitto ATP Finals in November, De Minaur opened his 2026 campaign with a straight-sets loss to Casper Ruud. He quickly rebounded against Czechia, however, pulling double duty to propel Australia into the quarter-finals. Hurkacz is well aware of the challenge ahead.

“Alex has been very successful in the past years,” Hurkacz said of De Minaur, who is at a career-high World No. 6. “He’s really quick, moves around the court incredibly well. It’s going to be a good challenge, especially with the Aussie crowd. It’s going to be a lot of fun, and I’m excited for the match.”

Ace machine 😮‍💨

Of course Hubi gets our @Nexo #serveoftheday!#nexo pic.twitter.com/8tQYNUTm1d

— United Cup (@UnitedCupTennis) January 7, 2026

Swiatek needed just 66 minutes to dispatch Joint in their only previous meeting in Seoul last September, but the six-time major champion is not taking anything for granted. While the Australian teenager will enjoy strong home support, Swiatek may have won over a few local fans with her glowing assessment of Sydney following her three-set win against Eva Lys on Monday.

“I love being here,” Swiatek said. “I could honestly live here — I love Sydney. I wasn’t sure, but I think it’s becoming my favourite city in the whole world. I really have fun here.”

If the singles matches are split, the tie will be decided by a mixed doubles rubber.

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