Australian Open day two: Popyrin’s five-set frustration; 100,000+ record attendance; Wawrinka lives to fight another day

Australian Open 2026 - Day three live coverage.

Novak Djokovic began his hunt for a record 25th grand slam title with a 6-3, 6-2, 6-2 win over unseeded Spaniard Pedro Martinez in the Australian Open first round on Monday, the Serb easing pre-tournament concerns about his fitness with a sparkling display.

Doubts had been raised about Djokovic’s preparedness for the major he has won a record 10 times after the 38-year-old skipped the Adelaide tune-up event and cut short practice on Sunday, but he had no trouble sealing his 100th match win at Melbourne Park.

A potentially tricky start against first-time opponent Martinez turned into a routine workout when Djokovic seized control with a break and never loosened his grip under the bright lights of Rod Laver Arena to take the opening set.

Despite last playing in November when he claimed his 101st career title in Athens, Djokovic barely missed a beat as he let rip a fiery cross court winner en route to breaking early and wrapping up the second set.

While the spotlight has largely swung toward reigning Melbourne champion Jannik Sinner and world number one Carlos Alcaraz, Djokovic reminded the duo of his threat with some sublime tennis to power through the third set and prevail.

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Righto, it’s time for a tie-break – first to 10 points (with a two-point advantage) to decide this five-set ripper.

It’s as close as it gets between Popyrin and Muller – 6-2, 3-6, 6-3, 6-7 (5-7), 6-6.

1-0 - Big serve Popyrin. Nice start
1-1 - Muller on the board
1-2 - Points on serve. Yes, it’s tight
1-3 - GULP. Mini-break. Muller has won three points in a row
2-3 - Big SECOND serve from Popyrin. It forced an error off the Frenchman’s racquet. His return couldn’t quite get over the net.
2-4 - Muller, on serve, maintains his advantage. The players change ends
2-5 - Brilliant aggressive play from the Frenchman. He’s playing the bigger points better.
2-6 - Gee, another break. BIG trouble for Popyrin. He needs a magic trick or two.
2-7 - Goodness, Popyrin drops two points on serve. He’s almost done. The Frenchman three points away.
2-8 - Muller holds on serve. He can almost touch the win.
2-9 - MATCH POINT. Muller hasn’t led in this match until the ’breaker. Seven match points to come ....
3-9 - BIG serve down the T for Popyrin. He gets one back.
4-9 - Great serve again from the Aussie. Forces another error. Glimmer of hope.
4-10 - Volley winner from Muller after decent point ....

GAME. SET. MATCH … that’s one to lament for Alexei Popyrin. Nearly four hours of tennis and he’s OUT. Could have been different ...

We’re down to money time on John Cain Arena between Australia’s Alexei Popyrin and Alexandre Muller, of France.

It’s 5-5 in the deciding set, with momentum swinging marginally either way.

World No.50 Popyrin is about to serve.

The match is closing on the four-hour mark and Popyrin leads Muller 6-2, 3-6, 6-3, 6-7 (5-7), 5-5.

The match is tight midway through the final set between Australia’s Alexei Popyrin and Alexandre Muller, of France.

This one really could go either way. World No.50 Popyrin is a bit flashy tonight, and needs a strong and bold couple of games to close it out.

After three three-and-a-half hours of tennis, Popyrin leads Muller 6-2, 3-6, 6-3, 6-7 (5-7), 4-3.