Frances Tiafoe advanced to the third round of the Australian Open with a four-set victory over Francisco Comesaña, while Alex De Minaur overcame an early setback to defeat Hamad Medjedović. The two will now face off in a high-stakes matchup on Rod Laver Arena. Tiafoe enters with renewed confidence, posing a challenge to the top-seeded Australian.
Frances Tiafoe, the 29th seed and ranked world No. 34, secured his place in the round of 32 at the Australian Open for the first time since 2023 by defeating Argentina's Francisco Comesaña 6-4, 6-3, 4-6, 6-2 on Wednesday. The Maryland native displayed a focused performance, leveraging a heavy forehand and efficient first serve to control points, despite a brief lapse in the third set. He quickly regained momentum in the fourth, marking his second straight win in Melbourne. "I'm playing with no pressure and lots of confidence," Tiafoe said, highlighting his relaxed approach as he prepares for bigger challenges.
Meanwhile, world No. 6 Alex De Minaur, the highest-seeded Australian man since Lleyton Hewitt in 2006, navigated a tough second-round encounter on Rod Laver Arena. He came back from a set down to beat Serbia's Hamad Medjedović 6-7(5), 6-2, 6-2, 6-1. The Serbian, ranked No. 90, unleashed powerful shots early on, what commentator Jim Courier called "bully ball," but De Minaur's patience and fitness prevailed. A rain delay preceded the third set, after which Medjedović faltered, allowing De Minaur to win 18 of the final 23 games. "I weathered the storm," De Minaur reflected. "He was playing some unbelievable tennis… but a five-set match is long, and there are always opportunities."
Their third-round meeting promises excitement, with De Minaur holding a 3-1 head-to-head edge and an unblemished 18-0 record against lower-ranked foes in Melbourne. However, Tiafoe's current form makes him a formidable opponent, free from expectations.
