By Olukayode Olumuyiwa.
The 2026 Australian Open reached a dramatic point on Day 11 at Melbourne Park, as the final semifinal spots were filled under extraordinary circumstances. While the tournament has been a celebration of legends—highlighted by 45-year-old Venus Williams becoming the oldest woman to compete in the singles main draw—the focus today shifted to the grueling physical toll of the year’s first Grand Slam.
Men’s Singles: Sinner Dominant, Djokovic Advances on Retirement
Defending champion Jannik Sinner continued his ruthless pursuit of a third consecutive Australian Open title. The Italian world number two dispatched American Ben Shelton in a clinical straight-sets victory, 6-3, 6-4, 6-4. Sinner’s baseline precision and composure have made him look nearly invincible in Melbourne, where he remains unbeaten since 2023.
The evening’s second quarterfinal, however, ended in stunned silence. Novak Djokovic advanced to his 13th Australian Open semifinal, but only after Italy’s Lorenzo Musetti was forced to retire due to an upper right leg injury. Musetti had played perhaps the best tennis of his career to lead the 24-time Grand Slam champion 6-4, 6-3 and seemed poised for a historic upset. However, after the injury struck early in the third set, he was unable to continue with Djokovic leading 3-1. By stepping onto the court for this match, Djokovic became just the third man in history to compete in 1,400 tour-level matches, and with the win, he surpassed Roger Federer for the most singles match wins in Australian Open history (103).
“I was on my way home tonight,” a candid Djokovic admitted post-match. “He was the far better player and should have been the winner today.”
The result sets up a blockbuster semifinal rematch: Jannik Sinner vs. Novak Djokovic.
Women’s Singles: Pegula’s Breakthrough and Rybakina’s Power
On the women’s side, American Jessica Pegula finally broke her quarterfinal curse. After three previous exits at this stage in Melbourne, the sixth seed defeated compatriot and fourth seed Amanda Anisimova 6-2, 7-6(1). Pegula’s consistency proved too much for Anisimova, who struggled with 44 unforced errors, including successive double faults while serving for the second set.
Pegula will face Elena Rybakina in the semifinals. Rybakina delivered a serving masterclass to knock out world number two Iga Swiatek 7-5, 6-1, ending Swiatek’s quest for a career Grand Slam. Rybakina’s victory ensures a clash of styles in the final four, as she brings her high-powered game against Pegula’s elite counter-punching.
Mixed Doubles: Finalists Decided
The mixed doubles draw is now set for a Friday final. Australian wildcards and defending champions John Peers and Olivia Gadecki kept their title defense alive by edging out Nikola Mektic and Taylor Townsend in a thrilling match tiebreak. They will face the French-American duo of Manuel Guinard and Kristina Mladenovic for the championship.
Upcoming Semifinal Fixtures
Men’s Singles
Jannik Sinner (2) vs. Novak Djokovic (4)
Carlos Alcaraz (1) vs. Alexander Zverev (3)
Women’s Singles
Jessica Pegula (6) vs. Elena Rybakina (5)
Aryna Sabalenka (1) vs. Elina Svitolina (12).
Galaxy Sports Production
Should we send you latest update about your favourite sports and team?
Enter you email in the box below and hit the subscribe button to join our teaming 876+ sports community.
