Fourth round singles action begins on Sunday in Melbourne.
In Sunday’s fourth round matches in the men’s singles draw, seven of the eight highest seeds have advanced, making for some big-time matchups. Jannik Sinner, the only top eight seed yet to drop a set, faces Karen Khachanov, a semifinalist a year ago. Australian No.1 Alex de Minaur takes on fifth-seeded Andrey Rublev. In a rematch of a dramatic match from this same round two years ago, Stefanos Tsitsipas battles Taylor Fritz. And 10-time champion Novak Djokovic plays Adrian Mannarino, who has endured three five-setters in as many rounds.
The WTA round of 16 singles matches on Sunday also provide plenty of intrigue. Defending champion Aryna Sabalenka faces a recently-returned Amanda Anisimova. 2021 Roland Garros champ Barbora Krejcikova is challenged by 16-year-old sensation Mirra Andreeva, who came back from 5-1 down in the last round. Plus, US Open champ Coco Gauff continues her bid to win her second consecutive Major.
Throughout the tournament, this preview will analyze the day’s four most prominent matches, while highlighting the other notable matches on the schedule. Sunday’s play gets underway at 11:00am local time.
Taylor Fritz (12) vs. Stefanos Tsitsipas (7) – Not Before 1:30pm on John Cain Arena
In their aforementioned 2022 Australian Open encounter, Tsitsipas recovered from a two-sets-to-one deficit to upend Fritz in five. But in the two years since, the American has made big strides in his career, reaching two Major quarterfinals and winning a Masters 1000 title at Indian Wells. However, he remains 1-3 against the Greek, with Stefanos winning all three of their hard court meetings.
Tsitsipas has advanced to the semifinals or better four of the last five years in Melbourne, reaching his second Major final here a year ago. He came into this fortnight with a wrist injury, yet his level has improved as the tournament has progressed. After dropping a set in both of his first two matches, he won in straights on Friday.
Fritz has lost three sets to this stage, and has yet to advance beyond the fourth round of this event. Just like two years ago, Stefanos is the favorite to end Taylor’s tournament in the same round.
Mirra Andreeva vs. Barbora Krejcikova (19) – Third on John Cain Arena
After Andreeva crushed Ons Jabeur in the second round, she pulled off a Houdini-like escape against Diane Parry, coming back from 5-1 down and saving a match point. The 16-year-old is already 9-3 in her career at Majors, and this equals her best result to date, from six months ago at Wimbledon. As per Tennis Abstract, her career record at all levels is a superb 81-19, and she is 6-5 against top 20 opposition.
This is Krejcikova’s third consecutive year advancing to the second week of this tournament. She went 34-19 last season, with two titles (Dubai, San Diego), both on hard courts. Barbora came back from a set down in two of her three matches this fortnight.
These players met twice last season, with Mirra claiming both matches. At Wimbledon, Andreeva was up 6-3, 4-0 when Krejcikova retired due to a leg injury. In Beijing, Mirra comfortably prevailed 6-2, 6-2. As accomplished and talented as Barbora is, it’s been two years since she’s reached a Major quarterfinal. And this feels like the breakthrough moment for Mirra, especially following her comeback win in the last round. I like Andreeva to become a first-time Major quarterfinalist.
Jannik Sinner (4) vs. Karen Khachanov (15) – Not Before 4:00pm on Margaret Court Arena
Despite not playing a warm-up event to start 2024, Sinner has picked up right where he left off in 2023. The Italian went 32-5 in the second half of the season, and ended the year taking two of three singles matches against Djokovic. This past week, he won all nine sets he contested, without requiring a tiebreak. Jannik is vying for his sixth Major quarterfinal, and his second in Australia.
Khachanov’s semifinal appearance here a year ago was his second consecutive one at a Major. But he would only reach two more tournament semis the rest of the year. Karen won each of his first three matches in four sets.
Sinner is 2-1 against Khachanov, having claimed their last two meetings. All three were on hard courts, and all three went the distance. Karen’s big game remains a threat, but I expect the much-improved game of Sinner to enable him to beat Khachanov a bit more comfortably on Sunday.
Alex de Minaur (10) vs. Andrey Rublev (5) – 7:00pm on Rod Laver Arena
A recent debutante inside the top 10, it seems de Minaur is not yet satisfied. He is 6-1 to start the year, and earned three victories over top 10 players during the United Cup. Not only did he beat Zverev and Fritz, he also handed Djokovic his first loss in Australia since 2018. After losing a set in his opening round to Milos Raonic, Alex hasn’t lost another.
Rublev started the season by winning a title in Hong Kong, yet ran into trouble in his opening round here, letting a two-set lead slip before winning in five. He then defeated two Americans in straight sets (Eubanks, Korda). Andrey now plays for his 10 Major quarterfinal, and his sixth out of his last seven Major appearances.
De Minaur is 3-2 against Rublev overall, and 3-1 on hard courts. However, their most recent meeting went to Andrey, just two months ago in the quarterfinals of the Paris Masters. But I give the slight edge to Alex to reach his second Slam quarterfinal. Their history is in his favor, as will be the home crowd.
Other Notable Matches on Sunday:
Novak Djokovic (1) vs. Adrian Mannarino (20) – After complicated matches in his first two rounds, Djokovic defeated Tomas Martin Etcheverry in straight sets on Friday. Mannarino’s trio of five-set victories during Week 1 came against Wawrinka, Munar, and Shelton. Novak leads their head-to-head 4-0.
Magdalena Frech vs. Coco Gauff (4) – Gauff is yet to drop a set, and dominated fellow American Alycia Parks in the last round by a score of 6-0, 6-2. Frech upset Caroline Garcia two rounds ago, and is making her fourth round debut at a Major.
Amanda Anisimova vs. Aryna Sabalenka (2) – Sabalenka has lost just six games through six sets. Anisimova is another player yet to drop a set, with victories over Samsonova, Podoroska, and Badosa. And Amanda is 4-1 against Aryna, and 2-0 at Majors.
Marta Kostyuk vs. Maria Timofeeva (Q) – This is Kosyuk’s second time in the fourth round of a Slam, while this is Timofeeva’s main draw debut at this level, as the qualifier has already taken out Cornet, Wozniacki, and Haddad Maia.
Sunday’s full Order of Play is here.
