Day 6 of the Australian Open 2026 offered a striking contrast in playing styles and fortunes. Carlos Alcaraz, world number one, cruised past France’s Corentin Moutet 6–2, 6–4, 6–1 on Rod Laver Arena, displaying sublime shot-making and court creativity. Alcaraz’s 30 winners and inventive play underscored his quest for a maiden Australian Open title and a career Grand Slam. He will next face Tommy Paul for a quarter-final berth.
Meanwhile, Daniil Medvedev survived a grueling five-set contest against Fabian Marozsan, recovering from two sets down to win 6–7(5), 4–6, 7–5, 6–0, 6–3. The match lasted nearly four hours, testing the Russian’s endurance and mental toughness. Even cramp and frustration could not stop him, as Medvedev’s trademark resilience saw him through to a last-16 clash with American Learner Tien.
The contrasting journeys of Alcaraz and Medvedev highlight the different routes to success at Melbourne Park—flair and control versus grit and persistence—as the tournament moves deeper into its second week.
