Scott Spits, Danny Russell, Marc McGowan
2026-01-27 09:55:00
Australian Open 2026 LIVE updates: Awesome Alcaraz has Demon on the back foot early; Gauff’s stunning reaction to quarter-final loss
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Game de Minaur. It’s 3-3
Top level stuff. A quality service game. No doubt de Minaur is well and truly settled now. That was clean and clinical, allowing the Spaniard just the one point. Both players are serving at around the 70 per cent mark.
Analysis: No doubt who the crowd wants to win
The court announcer asked pre-match – one player at a time – who the crowd wanted to win. The response sounded surprisingly even. But there was no doubt about the crowd’s leaning after Alcaraz dumped a backhand into the net to hand back the break to Demon. It was the type of loose game that Jannik Sinner just doesn’t provide Demon in their match-ups, another reason tonight is not mission impossible for the Aussie, who has settled in well.
Break back!
De Minaur breaks Alcaraz. Games back on serve. The crowd rise and yell their support. We’re back level. It goes without saying, but this game will do wonders for de Minaur’s confidence and composure.
Carlos Alcaraz [1] leads Alex de Minaur [6] 3-2
Analysis: Huge few games ahead
Great hold for de Minaur, who even had a chance to escape his first service game unscathed but could not convert a game point. Alcaraz is forcing Demon to play aggressively to stay in the baseline war, and that is a good thing. Huge few games ahead.
Game de Minaur!
The Australian is on the board. The moment is greeted with plenty of applause.
A strong service game, and Alex de Minaur stays in the opening set. He recovered beautifully from 0-30 to win the game and hold his head high.
Watch: An early highlight for de Minaur
Bang: Alcaraz leads 3-0
Gee, this has been an ominous start. Alcaraz is whacking his forehand and, to use an Australian expression, is up and about. A destructive service game from the Spaniard.
Carlos Alcaraz [1] leads Alex de Minaur [6] 3-0
Analysis: Hyper-aggressive Alcaraz
Alex de Minaur made only one of his first seven first serves, then when he finally landed a second at break point, Carlos Alcaraz ripped a forehand return that set him up to grab an instant break. The Spaniard is playing hyper-aggressively to start this match and is hitting the ball incredibly crisply. “The Demon” needs to get a foothold in this contest fast.
Break: Alcaraz makes early inroads
Ohhh, that’s got to hurt. Alex de Minaur fights to hold serve in the second game, but can’t. Carlos Alcaraz has already taken full advantage. It wasn’t that the Australian was off, but the Spaniard is red-hot.
Carlos Alcaraz [1] leads Alex de Minaur [6] 2-0
A sizzling opening service game
Carlos, Carlos, Carlos … What a sizzling start for the Spaniard, who is pounding them early. He has set the tone for this one in emphatic style.
Carlos Alcaraz leads Alex de Minaur 1-0
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