AO 2026 Day 8 Highlights: Quick Recap of Key Moments
On the eighth day of the Australian Open 2026, two remarkable young American players from California achieved significant milestones in Melbourne. Iva Jovic and Learner Tien both advanced to the quarterfinals of a Grand Slam for the first time in their careers.
Day 8 Highlights: Key Moments at AO 2026
Iva Jovic’s Historic Victory
The 18-year-old Iva Jovic had an outstanding performance, defeating veteran player Yulia Putintseva from Kazakhstan with a score of 6-0, 6-1. This was Jovic’s first fourth-round match in a Grand Slam, and she managed to win in just 53 minutes.
Remarkably, Jovic has not dropped a single set throughout the tournament. She also recorded her first top-10 victory against Jasmine Paolini earlier in the tournament. “I still don’t think it feels real,” Jovic commented after her win.
Learner Tien Advances
Accompanying Jovic in the quarterfinals is Learner Tien, a 20-year-old player coached by former Australian Open runner-up Michael Chang. Tien defeated Daniil Medvedev, a three-time finalist at Melbourne Park, with a score of 6-4, 6-0, 6-3.
Tien is now the youngest American to reach a major quarterfinal since Andy Roddick in 2001. His next opponent will be Alexander Zverev, the runner-up of the previous Australian Open.
Coco Gauff’s Continued Success
Coco Gauff was another standout American athlete on Day 8, overcoming Karolina Muchova in the third set with a score of 6-3. This victory marked Gauff’s 10th appearance in a major quarterfinal at just 21 years old.
Top Seeds Showing Dominance
Both world No. 1 players showcased their skills as Aryna Sabalenka and Carlos Alcaraz continued their campaigns without dropping a set. Alcaraz defeated Tommy Paul in a competitive match, winning 7-6(6), 6-4, 7-5 and setting up a match against local favorite Alex de Minaur.
Meanwhile, Sabalenka achieved a record-breaking 20th consecutive tiebreak win at a Grand Slam, defeating Victoria Mboko 6-1, 7-6(1). Sabalenka has prevailed in 24 of her last 25 matches in Melbourne.
Elina Svitolina’s Strong Start
Elina Svitolina from Ukraine maintained her impressive form, ousting No. 8 seed Mirra Andreeva 6-2, 6-4. With this victory, Svitolina has not lost a match this season, winning all nine since the start of 2026.
Injury News and Upcoming Matches
In unfortunate news, Czech player Jakub Mensik has withdrawn from the tournament due to an abdominal injury. This withdrawal allows Novak Djokovic to advance to his 16th Australian Open quarterfinal without playing. Djokovic’s next opponent will be either Lorenzo Musetti or Taylor Fritz on Wednesday.
- Jovic’s win against Putintseva: 6-0, 6-1
- Tien’s victory over Medvedev: 6-4, 6-0, 6-3
- Coco Gauff’s third set win against Muchova: 6-3
- Alcaraz vs. Paul: 7-6(6), 6-4, 7-5
- Sabalenka’s match against Mboko: 6-1, 7-6(1)
- Svitolina vs. Andreeva: 6-2, 6-4
As the tournament progresses, fans can look forward to more thrilling matches in the quarterfinals at the Australian Open 2026, hosted by Filmogaz.com.
