Thursday features the conclusion of second round singles action.
On Day 5, an overabundance of Major champions take to the court. Reigning Major champs Madison Keys, Iga Swiatek, and Jannik Sinner all play their second round contests, as will former champs Novak Djokovic, Naomi Osaka, Stan Wawrinka, Elena Rybakina, and Marin Cilic. Cilic will take part in the most compelling matchup of the day, against Major semifinalist Denis Shapovalov.
Here’s a rundown of the most notable matches on Day 5 (in chronological order, all times local):
Ashlyn Krueger vs. Madison Keys (9) – 11:00am on John Cain Arena
Keys’ biggest title defense of her career got off to a pretty solid start, overcoming a tight first set against Ukraine’s Oleksandra Oliynykova to prevail in straights. Fellow American Krueger also won her opening round in straights, but the 21-year-old has only once advanced beyond the second round of a Major. Ashlyn possesses a pretty powerful game, yet not as powerful as Madison’s.
Lorenzo Musetti (5) vs. Lorenzo Sonego – 11:30am on Rod Laver Arena
This is the highest Musetti has ever been seeded at a Major, but he’s a modest 4-4 lifetime at the Australian Open. Sonego was a quarterfinalist here a year ago, and he’s split two prior meetings with his fellow Lorenzo, so this may be a tight one.
Francesco Maestrelli (Q) vs. Novak Djokovic (4) – Not Before 1:30pm on Rod Laver Arena
Djokovic’s straight-set victory on Monday was the 100th match win of his career at this event, but it was also his first match in over two months, as injury has kept him off the court. Maestrelli is a 23-year-old Italian qualifier who is making his Slam debut this week.
Katerina Siniakova vs. Amanda Anisimova (4) – Not Before 1:30pm on Margaret Court Arena
This is the only Major where Anisimova is yet to advance to the quarterfinals, despite three prior appearances in the round of 16. Siniakova is the No.1 double player in the world, but is ranked just 45th in singles, and is 0-8 in her last eight second round matches at Slams.
Arthur Gea (Q) vs. Stan Wawrinka (WC) – Third on Kia Arena
Wawrinka’s first round triumph over Laslo Djere was his first win in Melbourne since 2021. This is Stan’s 20th and final appearance at this tournament, which he won back in 2014. Gea is a 21-year-old French qualifier who upset an injured Jiri Lehecka on Monday to earn his first-ever victory at a Major.
Marie Bouzkova vs. Iga Swiatek (2) – Not Before 5:00pm on John Cain Arena
Swiatek was sternly tested in her opening round by Yue Yuan, though she still managed to advance in straights. Iga is 2-0 against Bouzkova, which includes a 6-1, 6-1 hard court victory just a few months ago.
Denis Shapovalov (21) vs. Marin Cilic – Last on 1573 Arena
Shapovalov’s ranking dropped out of the top 100 in 2024 due to a knee injury, but he’s on the verge of returning to the top 20 after winning two hard court titles during 2025. Cilic was the runner-up here back in 2018, yet his opening round win in straight sets was his first win in Melbourne since 2022. He missed nearly two full years of Majors between 2023 and 2024 due to his own knee issues. Marin is 3-2 against Denis, though they haven’t played in nearly five years.
James Duckworth (WC) vs. Jannik Sinner (2) – Not Before 7:00pm on Rod Laver Arena
Sinner only needed to win two sets before Huge Gaston retired from their first round match on Tuesday night. Earlier that day, Duckworth came back from two-sets-to-one down to win in five. The Australian does own a victory over Sinner, which came during 2021 on a hard court, but Jannik took their other two meetings in straights.
Naomi Osaka vs. Sorana Cirstea – Not Before 7:00pm on Margaret Court Arena
Osaka made quite a splash on Tuesday with her jellyfish-inspired outfit, yet she narrowly escaped defeat against Antonia Ruzic. Naomi provided some sloppy play, and a total of 44 unforced errors across three sets. Cirstea is a two-time Major quarterfinalist, yet hasn’t been beyond this round of a Slam since 2023.
Elena Rybakina (5) vs. Varvara Gracheva – Last on Rod Laver Arena
Since October, Rybakina has been red-hot, with a record of 16-2. Gracheva arrived in Melbourne on a three-match losing streak, and as per Tennis Abstract, is just 1-6 lifetime against top five opposition.
Thursday’s full Order of Play is here.
