Daniil Medvedev and Andrey Rublev simultaneously began the Australian Open 2026 with victories. Both Russian tennis players confidently passed the first round, even if the match scenarios turned out to be different. Medvedev had to spend almost three hours and go through a nervous ending, while Rublev dealt with his opponent quickly and to the point.

Medvedev’s nervous start and victory via tiebreaker

Daniil Medvedev started the tournament with a match against Jesper de Jong and immediately set the pace high. Already in the first game, the Russian made a break, but was unable to get through the opening game calmly. The Dutchman returned to the game several times, and with the score 5:4, Medvedev was unable to serve for the set. Nevertheless, Daniil added again at the reception and closed the game – 7:5 in 59 minutes.

In the second set, Medvedev looked noticeably more confident. A quick break, then another – and the score was 3:0 at the start. This time the Russian did not delay: the game ended with a score of 6:2, and from the very first set point.

The third set turned out to be the most intense. De Jong fought back, saved break points and forced Medvedev to run a lot. Daniil still took the lead with a break and was close to closing the match at 5:4 and 6:5, but both times he failed to handle his serve, making several double faults. Everything was decided in a tiebreaker, where Medvedev scored a beautiful point – 7:6 (7:2).

Daniil Medvedev / Photo: © Fred Lee / Contributor / Getty Images Sport / Gettyimages.ru

Result – 7:5, 6:2, 7:6 (7:2) in 2 hours 55 minutes. Medvedev made nine aces, converted seven out of 13 break points and after the match honestly admitted that the start was not easy.

– Today was hard – it was my first match at a Grand Slam tournament this year. Last season I often lost in the first round at such competitions; here I managed to win only one match. I hope to improve in the next meetings. In some episodes I should have acted more accurately, but the first lap at a Slam is always difficult,” Medvedev said in an interview after the match.

In the second round of the Australian Open, the Russian will play against Frenchman Quentin Ghaly, who ranks 83rd in the ATP rankings.

Rublev passed Arnaldi without any drama

Andrei Rublev in his opening match against Matteo Arnaldi did not have a long swing. In the first set, the key game was the fifth game, when the Russian broke the Italian’s serve and led 3:2. This advantage was enough for Rublev – 6:4 in 48 minutes. In the second game, Andrey immediately went ahead – 4:0, confidently held his serve and calmly closed the set with a score of 6:2 in just half an hour.

Andrey Rublev / Photo: © Fred Lee / Contributor / Getty Images Sport / Gettyimages.ru

In the third set, Arnaldi tried to cling to the match. After the break, Rublev found himself under pressure on his serve: he was losing 15:40, but withstood the pressure, pulled out a difficult game and confirmed the advantage – 4:2. Then the Russian controlled the situation and brought the match to victory. The Italian’s double fault on match point put an end to it.

Rublev won the match in 1 hour 52 minutes – 6:4, 6:2, 6:3, completing eight aces and not allowing his opponent to convert a single break point. In the second round of the Australian Open, Andrey will meet with 22-year-old Portuguese Jaime Faria.

The bright start of our tennis players gives reason to hope that they will be able to go far through the grid of the first Grand Slam tournament of the season. Moreover, it is very important for both Daniil and Andrey to start the season successfully, since for both of them the game largely depends on their psychological state.