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Australian Open 2026 as it happened: ‘The Demon’ roars into the third round as big names watch on at Melbourne Park

Hannah Kennelly, Roy Ward, Scott Spits, Marc McGowan and Billie Eder
Updated ,first published

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That’s all for tonight

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That’s all we have for you from Melbourne Park tonight, but we will be back in the morning for day five.

Thanks so much for joining us and we look forward to seeing you back with us.

Please have a lovely evening. Bye for now.

Carlos Alcaraz in action against Yannick Hanfmann.Getty Images

Tiafoe to face de Minaur

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Frances Tiafoe has dominated the fourth set to beat Argentina’s Francisco Comesana on MCA tonight.

Tiafoe claimed the final set 6-2 and will now have a cracking clash with Alex de Minaur in the third round.

Frances Tiafoe of United States plays a backhand against Francisco Comesana of Argentina.Getty Images

Jovic has won

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That was a classy, assured display from Iva Jovic who has beaten Aussie Priscilla Hon 6-1, 6-2 in a little over 70 minutes on Rod Laver Arena.

Hon has lived her dream of playing on Rod Laver Arena and Jovic could be a nightmare opponent for whoever she comes up against from here.

She punched the air and saluted her supporters before shaking hands with Hon.

Iva Jovic.Getty Images
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Jovic powering towards victory

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Iva Jovic has locked in her break in the second set and leads 6-1, 4-2 with Hon to serve.

The local fans have thinned out at lot in the last 15 minutes – the stadium is around a quarter full, if that.

So many nicknames for Hon; Paolini wins on JCA

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Jovic just broke back to make it 6-1, 1-2.

The local fans don’t have a consensus on what nickname to call Hon by.

Some are using “Pre”, some are using “Scilla” and one fan called her “Pre-Pre”.

I suppose Hon will just need to win and extend her run at this year’s open so the fans can figure out their differences.

Meanwhile, Italian No.7 seed Jasmina Paolini has won through to the third round in a match that moved from Kia Arena to John Cain Arena due to the rain.

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Hon gets the break

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Who saw that coming?

With the whole stadium behind her, Priscilla Hon has just broken Iva Jovic’s serve.

A fired-up Priscilla Hon.Getty Images

The US star also got a time violation warning during that game for taking too long to serve.

The crowd is loving this. Now Hon needs to hold her serve.

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Home fans trying to lift Priscilla

By Roy Ward

Priscilla Hon has held serve to start the second set and she has a vocal supporter group behind her at Rod Laver Arena.

The stadium is still around half-full despite it being 11.35pm here in Melbourne.

Priscilla Hon of Australia plays a backhand return to Iva Jovic of the U.S.AP

“C’mon, Priscilla” calls were ringing out last game, but she hasn’t been able to put a finger on Jovic’s serve so far. That is her next challenge.

The roof remains on as well, following earlier rain.

It’s 6-1, 1-1 with Jovic to serve.

Tiafoe goes to a fourth set

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Frances Tiafoe has more work to do out on Margaret Court Arena before he can secure a third-round clash with Alex de Minaur.

The US star dropped the third set to Argentina’s Francisco Comesana, so he could have a long night ahead of him.

Francisco Comesana of Argentina reacts after winning the third set against Frances Tiafoe.AP

Jovic wins the first set

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Iva Jovic is pumping her fist after a resounding first-set win over Priscilla Hon, which finished 6-1.

The US teen looks a superstar in the making with the way she covers the court and seeks out winners.

Hon isn’t doing all that much wrong, she just can’t compete with the quality and placement of Jovic’s groundstrokes.

Priscilla Hon in action against US star Iva Jovic.AP
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Jovic breaks early

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Iva Jovic means business tonight and the 18-year-old US star has broken Aussie Priscilla Hon in her first service game.

Jovic has a 2-0 lead in the first set, you can see why Jovic has rocketed up the rankings in the past 12 months.

Iva Jovic of the US plays a forehand return to Priscilla Hon of Australia.AP
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