Australian Open 2026 Day 5 Recap

Day 5 of the 2026 Australian Open belonged to the previous guard, because it was the veterans who delivered the clearest assertion.

Novak Djokovic continued his march towards one other deep run with a medical straight-sets win, Marin Čilić rolled again the years to dismantle Denis Shapovalov, and 40-year-old Stan Wawrinka produced one of many matches of the event, a five-set epic that confirmed the younger weapons precisely the way it’s finished beneath stress.

Elsewhere, Tomáš Macháč’s strong begin to 2026 continued with one other decisive win over the ever-beleaguered Stefanos Tsitsipas, whereas Jannik Sinner and Ben Shelton moved by means of effectively.

Off court docket, nevertheless, the tennis once more took a again seat in elements of the press room, with political activists masquerading as tennis article writers trying to pull gamers into flag-based speaking factors, “What’s it prefer to play beneath the American flag?” an more and more acquainted sideshow that provides little perception and even much less relevance to the game itself. Time for a filter out.

Right here’s a full breakdown of the Day 5 outcomes, the important thing matches, and highlights.

Day 5 2026 Australian Open Spherical of 64 Outcomes

Winner
Loser
Rating

Lorenzo Musetti (5)
Lorenzo Sonego
6-3 6-3 6-4

Tomáš Macháč
Stefanos Tsitsipas (31)
6-4 3-6 7-6(5) 7-6(5)

Stan Wawrinka (WC)
Arthur Gea (Q)
4-6 6-3 3-6 7-5 7-6(3)

Taylor Fritz (9)
Vít Kopřiva
6-1 6-4 7-6(4)

Jakub Menšík (16)
Rafael Jodar (Q)
6-2 6-4 6-4

Ethan Quinn
Hubert Hurkacz
6-4 7-6(5) 6-1

Botic van de Zandschulp
Juncheng Shang
7-6(6) 6-2 6-3

Novak Djokovic (4)
Francesco Maestrelli (Q)
6-3 6-2 6-2

Ben Shelton (8)
Dane Sweeny (Q)
6-3 6-2 6-2

Valentin Vacherot (30)
Rinky Hijikata (WC)
6-1 6-3 4-6 6-2

Marin Čilić
Denis Shapovalov (21)
6-4 6-3 6-2

Casper Ruud (12)
Jaume Munar
6-3 7-5 6-4

Karen Khachanov (15)
Nishesh Basavareddy (Q)
6-1 6-4 6-3

Luciano Darderi (22)
Sebastián Báez
6-3 1-6 6-4 6-3

Eliot Spizzirri
Yibing Wu (Q)
6-2 6-4 6(4)-7 4-6 6-3

Jannik Sinner (2)
James Duckworth (WC)
6-1 6-4 6-2

Key Matches

Tomáš Macháč def. Stefanos Tsitsipas (31) 6-4, 3-6, 7-6(5), 7-6(5)

Czech Tomáš Macháč (contemporary off an Adelaide title and a win over Dimitrov) knocked out former finalist Stefanos Tsitsipas in 4 units.

Was it an upset? Based mostly on seeding, technically, however based mostly on kind and true rating, in no way. Tsitsipas hasn’t reached R3 at a Slam since 2024, and his struggles proceed.

Stan Wawrinka (WC) def. Arthur Gea (Q) 4-6, 6-3, 3-6, 7-5, 7-6(3)

At 40 years previous, Stan Wawrinka delivered an epic 4-hour-33-minute five-set comeback over French qualifier Arthur Gea, saving the day with a clutch tremendous tiebreak within the fifth. He’s the primary 40+ 12 months previous in R3 since 1978 (Ken Rosewall), and a few of his backhands have been subsequent stage.

He advances to face Taylor Fritz in R3. Finish of his run? Most likely, however legend standing reaffirmed.

Novak Djokovic (4) def. Francesco Maestrelli (Q) 6-3, 6-2, 6-2

Novak Djokovic (38) cruised previous Italian qualifier Francesco Maestrelli in straight units, and he appears to be like in good kind. Untested as his two opponents haven’t been nice, however he’s one win from 400 Grand Slam victories general, and if he can get to the second week with loads of fuel within the tank, then you may’t rule him out.

Djokovic subsequent faces Botic van de Zandschulp, the place he’s a heavy favorite and as Federer as soon as stated, the very best movers are the very best gamers, and Novak has seemed sharper than final season in that regard.

It did really feel like two utterly completely different tournaments enjoying at night time [round one] and day as we speak, notably with the wind that I believe has been blowing this 12 months greater than every other 12 months that I’ve been enjoying right here in Australia. I’ve to regulate to that and adapt to a special opponent with a giant serve, however general it’s good. I’m happy with the best way I’m transferring and hitting the ball Djokovic on his win.

Jannik Sinner (2) def. James Duckworth (WC) 6-1, 6-4, 6-2

Defending champ Jannik Sinner dominated Aussie wildcard James Duckworth in straight units, extending his AO win streak. It’s unattainable to see how somebody with Duckworth’s sport type might ever pose an issue, and Sinner was untroubled, saving all 3 break factors he confronted to progress with ease.

Different notable matches embrace Ethan Quinn’s large upset over Hubert Hurkacz (6-4, 7-6(5), 6-1); Marin Čilić (37) dismantling Denis Shapovalov in straights; Ben Shelton and Casper Ruud cruising; Eliot Spizzirri profitable a wild five-setter (sixth time this AO a participant down 0-2 units gained the decider).

Australian Open 2026 Day 6 Spherical of 32 Matches