Departure of the first: Medvedev and Andreeva failed to make it to the 1/4 Australian Open

Mirra Andreeva was defeated in the fourth round of the 2026 Australian Open on January 25, leaving the singles draw without representatives from Russia. Earlier in the day, Daniil Medvedev, who was the last Russian in the men's tournament, took off. Andreeva lost to the best tennis player of Ukraine, Elina Svitolina. Elina, who became a four—time quarterfinalist at the Australian Open after defeating Mirra, defended her points last year, as did Andreeva.

Protracted practical jokes

By reaching the top 16 of the Australian Open 2026, the Russian tennis player has set a couple of pleasant statistical achievements. Firstly, Mirra surpassed the result of Coco Gauff, who reached at least the 1/8 finals of the majors for the seventh time at AO-23, being a month and a half older than Andreeva now. The Russian became the youngest of all active tennis players with so many performances at this stage.

However, it should be noted here that by that time Corey already had the final of Roland Garros 2022, and our compatriot's best result at the Slams so far is the semifinal of the same tournament in 2024. And even closer to the end of the 2023 season, Gauff won the US Open - a good hint for Andreeva, who is following in the footsteps of the American in a number of moments.

Mirra's other record is also associated with an American tennis player, who is still performing, although not on a permanent basis. It's about 45-year-old Venus Williams. After her, no one on the women's tour managed to reach at least the 1/8 finals at their first three Australian Opens, and Andreeva did just that. However, there is also a nuance here — Venus did not stop at this stage, becoming a quarterfinalist twice, and in 2001 she reached the semifinals.

Previously, Andreeva and Svitolina had only crossed paths with each other on the court once. It was also on the hard drive during the Indian Wells 2025 millennial. Then Mirra confidently beat Elina in the quarterfinals in an hour and a half — 7-5, 6-3.

However, at that tournament Andreeva generally showed, perhaps, the best tennis in her career at the moment. Before defeating Svitolina, she easily dealt with Klara Towson and Elena Rybakina, and then defeated the second and first numbers, Igu Sventek and Arina Sobolenko in three sets, winning the second title at the WTA-1000 tournament in a row.

In general, it was not worth drawing conclusions based on that duel between Andreeva and Svitolina. Mirra is not in such great shape right now and is not so confident in her abilities after the disastrous end to last season. Yes, before AO, she won the centennial in Adelaide, showing good tennis there and literally knocking all the opponents off the court, but Mirra cannot be said to have returned to the top level. Everything was difficult in Brisbane before Adelaide, and there were already difficulties in Melbourne — with Donna Vekic in the first round, and with Elena-Gabriela Ruse in the third. Svitolina started the season with the title at the WTA-250 in Auckland and was on a streak of eight wins in a row.

Unfortunately, Elina managed to extend this series. Mirra earned a triple break point already in the opening game, but Elina clung to the serve and did not allow her opponent to successfully start the match. After that, Andreeva had to save the game (however, from 0:30, and not from break points), but already at 1:1 her double mistake led to break points, and Svitolina realized the second of them. The Russian's reverse break did not affect the overall picture — the Ukrainian was better in almost all the key draws and took the set in just over half an hour with a score of 6:2.

Between games, Mirra went to the stands, and the pause clearly did her good. The Russian returned in a completely different mood, charged to fight, played sharply and scored 10 points in a row! Unfortunately, she missed the chance to lead with two breaks — Svitolina won back three break points with the score 0:2 and pulled her serve. Perhaps this moment could be a turning point — if not in the match, then at least in the set. As it was, Elina got back together, returned to her tennis with reliable actions in long draws and equalized the score. Mirra didn't fall apart, she fought to the end, but in the 10th game her opponent put the squeeze on her, making the last break.

Big game changer: how Mirra Andreeva won the title in Adelaide

It's a good test of strength for her before the start of the 2026 Australian Open.

Supertennis Tiena

Last year, Medvedev and Tien played three thrillers with each other. Lerner defeated Daniil in a very dramatic five-hour match in the second round of the Australian Open and in the Beijing semifinals. Medvedev was able to soak up the score in personal meetings in the 1/8 finals of Shanghai. In all three matches, it came to the deciding set, the Russian served for the match in each of them, and last year in Melbourne, the athletes held a 45-shot draw, which became one of the most beautiful of the season.

Tien and Medvedev regularly expressed respect for each other. Here's what Daniel said at an exhibition tournament in St. Petersburg in mid-December:

— If there was no serve in tennis, although, of course, this would never happen, then with the exception of Sinner and Alcaraz, I don't see any players who could beat Lerner. He's a phenomenal tennis player, he controls the court very well. It's not like he has one crazy punch, he's cool in many components.

Before the fourth match, Daniel admitted that he did not really like playing with Tien, but noted that this time he would try to surprise him somewhere. It was not possible to do this. According to the tradition of this AO, the Russian entered the game for a long time, giving his opponent two break points on his serve in the very first game. Lerner took the lead with a break, and with the score 2-1, his nose started bleeding. He called the doctor to the court, and the meeting stopped for seven minutes. However, the pause did not affect the American's game. He was able to maintain a minimal advantage and did not allow his opponent to catch on to the reception. Moreover, Lerner acted as the first number, having made several incredible winners.

The second set also started with a quick break by Thien (1-0). And with the score 2-0, Lerner won a long deuce on Daniil's serve (3-0), and it smelled like a rout. Daniil did not understand how to break through the opponent's defense, made double mistakes and talked loudly with his team. The American caught the real courage and simply did not allow his opponent to take a single draw. All the punches flew perfectly to the target. It was some kind of outstanding and solid tennis. The "steering wheel" became a natural result of the second game. This is the first such disastrous result for the leader of our tennis since 2020.

Lerner continued to play in terminator mode, winning 11 games in a row. Daniel was able to soak up the score, conceding 0:4. Having made the winners "more", he smiled ironically, and then made his first break (2:4). There was a slump in Tien's game and the hope loomed that Daniel would be able to turn the tide of an unsuccessful match. The eighth game was decisive. Daniil had chances for a second break and an opportunity to even the score, but the American still took his serve. After that, Daniel stopped playing and quickly lost the game, and with it the match.

"Tien and Medvedev are equal," Shamil Tarpishchev, head of the Russian Tennis Federation, said in an interview with Izvestia. — Both have a good game on the back line. It's mainly physical conditions that decide here. Did you expect more from Medvedev? I wouldn't say that. He just came to his senses after last year's coaching changes. I've calmed down a bit now, and I'm going to perform better.

There are only two Russians left in the Australian Open sets — Irina Khromacheva in mixed doubles and Vera Zvonareva in doubles.