Australian Open 2026 Day 7 Recap

Day seven of the 2026 Australian Open noticed Novak Djokovic add yet one more historic marker to his profession together with his four-hundredth Grand Slam match win, whereas defending champion Jannik Sinner navigated bodily adversity and excessive circumstances to increase his unbeaten run in Melbourne.

Lorenzo Musetti and Tomáš Macháč performed in a four-and-a-half-hour slugfest, Taylor Fritz ended Stan Wawrinka’s farewell run in entrance of a raucous crowd, and Luciano Darderi continued his breakout fortnight by knocking out Karen Khachanov to make sure there are three Italians within the final sixteen.

Australian Open 2026 Day 7 Outcomes

Winner
Loser
Rating

Lorenzo Musetti (5)
Tomáš Macháč
5-7 6-4 6-2 5-7 6-2

Taylor Fritz (9)
Stan Wawrinka (WC)
7-6(5) 2-6 6-4 6-4

Jakub Menšík (16)
Ethan Quinn
6-2 7-6(5) 7-6(5)

Novak Djokovic (4)
Botic van de Zandschulp
6-3 6-4 7-6(4)

Ben Shelton (8)
Valentin Vacherot (30)
6-4 6-4 7-6(5)

Casper Ruud (12)
Marin Čilić
6-4 6-4 3-6 7-5

Luciano Darderi (22)
Karen Khachanov (15)
7-6(5) 3-6 6-3 6-4

Jannik Sinner (2)
Eliot Spizzirri
4-6 6-3 6-4 6-4

Key Matches

Jannik Sinner def. Eliot Spizzirri 4-6, 6-3, 6-4, 6-4

Defending champion Jannik Sinner (No. 2 seed) rallied from a set all the way down to beat American qualifier Eliot Spizzirri in 4 units on Rod Laver Area, extending his AO win streak to 17 matches.

Sinner hit 42 winners to Spizzirri’s 28, gained 82% of first-serve factors, and broke serve 4 occasions after a shaky begin (he confronted early stress, saving 3/5 break factors within the opener).

The turning level got here early within the third set, when Sinner started visibly cramping in his legs and arms (limping, stretching desperately between factors, and barely capable of serve or transfer), and he was damaged to fall 3-1 down.

Play was halted beneath the Australian Open’s excessive warmth coverage (based mostly on Moist Bulb Globe Temperature readings), permitting time to shut the roof and activate cooling—a transfer that “saved” Sinner, as he admitted post-match.

He opted to not sit throughout most changeovers afterwards to stop cramps from returning, and the cooler circumstances swung momentum his approach; he broke again instantly and dominated from there.

For some followers, it was a “hellish battle” and “survival mode”; for others, it was extra a query of the “humorous timing” of the roof closure, which they noticed as probably favouring the highest seed. Spizzirri accepted it in accordance with the principles, however he’s undoubtedly arduous finished by there as he was in higher bodily form and the circumstances are the identical for each gamers.

It was sizzling right now. Began to cramp just a little bit within the third set, which then after time it went slowly away. I do know my physique barely higher now with a little bit of expertise additionally, making an attempt to deal with sure conditions a bit higher. Received fortunate right now. On the level after they closed the roof, it takes just a little bit time. Tried to loosen up just a little bit. It helped. Modified a bit additionally the way in which of learn how to play sure factors. That helped me right now, for positive. Sinner on his win.

Lorenzo Musetti def. Tomas Machac 5-7, 6-4, 6-2, 5-7, 6-2

Italian No. 5 seed Lorenzo Musetti outlasted Tomas Machac in a rollercoaster five-setter, showcasing his typical aptitude over 4 hours and 27 minutes.

Musetti tallied 55 winners (together with 10 aces) towards 53 unforced errors, breaking serve eight occasions whereas saving 10/15 break factors.

Machac fought again to drive a decider, however Musetti dominated the fifth (6-2), who’s made a career-best AO run, and he now meets Taylor Fritz within the final sixteen.

Novak Djokovic def. Botic van de Zandschulp 6-3, 6-4, 7-6(4)

Novak Djokovic (No. 4 seed, 38) stacked one other milestone, reaching his 102nd AO win (equalling Roger Federer’s file for many at a single Slam) with a straight-sets victory over Botic van de Zandschulp.

This victory marked his four-hundredth Grand Slam match win, the primary participant ever within the Open Period to succeed in that milestone (surpassing Federer at 369, Serena at 365)

Djokovic hit 27 winners to 23 unforced errors, gained 77% (47/61) of service factors total (together with sturdy first-serve dominance within the opener), transformed 4/9 break factors, and saved two set factors at 5-6 within the third earlier than closing out the win in 2 hours and 44 minutes. The Serb faces Mensik subsequent after he beat Ethan Quinn 6-2, 7-6(5), 7-6(5) on Present Court docket Area.

Ben Shelton def. Valentin Vacherot 6-4, 6-4, 7-6(5)

American No. 8 seed Ben Shelton powered previous Valentin Vacherot in straight units, leaning on his large serve.

Shelton blasted 15 aces (successful 81% of first-serve factors), transformed 2/4 break factors, and edged the third-set tiebreak 7-5 after some late Vacherot resilience.

Taylor Fritz def. Stan Wawrinka 7-6(5), 2-6, 6-4, 6-4

No. 9 seed Taylor Fritz ended 40-year-old Stan Wawrinka’s farewell AO run in 4 units at a raucous John Cain Area, the place Wawrinka acquired a standing ovation post-match.

Fritz hit 59 winners (30 aces) to Wawrinka’s 45, gained 85% of first-serve factors.

My mindset was what I’ve been saying, I’m not doing the 12 months to only say goodbye in tournaments. It’s my final 12 months, so in fact after I’m going to lose in a match, it’s going to be a goodbye for this match, however my mindset remains to be a competitor and I at all times wish to push myself. “I’m looking for the stability between competitor, making an attempt to win, however in the identical time having fun with these moments with the followers, with the ambiance. And right here it was greater than I may anticipate with the assist. Each match was one thing actually particular, and I actually recognize that. Shocked with my stage? No. As a result of I do know I used to be practising, how a lot I pushed myself to attempt to get that stage. I believe United Cup was the right begin, as a result of it give me loads of time on the court docket towards high gamers. Even when I gained just one match, I had the prospect to play 5 and spend loads of time. That is precisely what I used to be lacking final 12 months. This for me was an awesome two weeks, three weeks, between right here and United Cup. The extent was nice. I can see that I’m aggressive, that I’m feeling good on the court docket, that I can win some good matches, play towards the highest gamers. It’s precisely what I’m in search of. Stan on his match.

Luciano Darderi def. Karen Khachanov 7-6(5), 3-6, 6-3, 6-4

No. 22 seed Luciano Darderi upset No. 15 Karen Khachanov in 4 units, persevering with his breakout hard-court kind.

The Italian had a 9-29 file on arduous courts previous to the AO, however he’s racked up some spectacular wins this week, and he now faces Sinner in R4.

Australian Open 2026 Day 8 Spherical of 16 Matches