The 2024 main season ended with two Individuals — Taylor Fritz and Jessica Pegula — enjoying for the singles titles on the US Open. Their collective success, in addition to that of different Individuals all year long, arrange excessive expectations for 2025.
With 14 males and 19 ladies competing in the principle attracts on the Australian Open, it appeared as if probabilities have been excessive for extra deep runs on the 12 months’s first Slam. Now that we’re formally into the second week in Melbourne, it is secure to say, the American contingent resides as much as the hype. A history-making six males and 5 ladies from america reached the third spherical.
Whereas Fritz and Pegula have been upset within the spherical of 32, and different notable names resembling Frances Tiafoe and Amanda Anisimova have been additionally despatched residence early, seven Individuals stay — probably the most within the spherical of 16 on the Australian Open since 2004.
Three of these nonetheless contending — Coco Gauff, Alex Michelsen and Learner Tien — are below 21 years previous. In truth, this marks the primary main since 1991(!) during which two American males 20 or below have reached the second week.
No American has gained the title Down Underneath since Sofia Kenin did so in 2020, and no American man has achieved it since Andre Agassi claimed victory in 2003.
Will this be the 12 months fortunes change for these representing the purple, white and blue? Listed here are the Individuals remaining within the draw, how they acquired right here and what (or who) stands between them and the quarterfinals.
Coco Gauff
Who she has overwhelmed up to now: Sofia Kenin, Jodie Burrage, No. 30 Leylah Fernandez
Up subsequent: Belinda Bencic
Regardless of being simply 20 years previous, Gauff has been one of many nation’s most constant performers over the previous two seasons. She gained her first and solely (for now, anyway) main title on the 2023 US Open, and after making some technical and personnel modifications along with her staff, she recovered from a difficult 2024 season by closing it out with the trophy on the WTA Finals.
The No. 3-seeded Gauff has opened the 2025 season with eight consecutive victories — changing into simply the fifth girl within the Open Period to attain such a report — and helped lead the U.S. staff to a championship on the United Cup earlier this month. Within the ultimate, she defeated world No. 2 and five-time main champion Iga Swiatek 6-4, 6-4 for her second straight win over the Polish celebrity.
In Melbourne, Gauff has but to drop a set and has charmed the crowds along with her Marvel-inspired appears to be like and humorous on-court interviews. Though Gauff struggled along with her forehand early within the match in opposition to Fernandez, she remained unfazed and closed out the match in simply 75 minutes, advancing to the second week of a Slam for a staggering 14th time.
Whereas many followers had hoped for a showdown with Naomi Osaka within the subsequent spherical, Osaka was compelled to retire from her third-round match due to an belly damage. Gauff will as an alternative face Bencic, the 2020 Olympic gold medalist who returned from childbirth earlier this month. The 2 have performed twice beforehand, with the collection cut up. Gauff gained their final assembly within the quarterfinals in Washington, D.C., in 2023, en path to the title and firstly of her wildly profitable hard-court summer time season.
However Gauff did not appear too involved about her subsequent opponent, and even about matching her 2024 semifinal outcome on the event, and as an alternative shared her newfound perspective Friday after the win over Fernandez.
“Tennis feels so excessive stakes, but it surely’s actually not,” Gauff mentioned. “I am so fortunate to do what I do — [and] additionally receives a commission doing it. “My largest factor I realized final 12 months is simply to not take something without any consideration, and [I] simply realized this time goes to go by so quick.
“Hopefully, it does not really feel prefer it within the second however I am positive 20 years from now I will be, ‘Dang, typically I want I may return.’ I am simply attempting to take pleasure in it whereas I am right here.”
Who he has overwhelmed up to now: Christopher O’Connell, Kei Nishikori, Roberto Carballes Baena
Up subsequent: Alejandro Davidovich Fokina
The 27-year-old had the most effective main results of his profession in Melbourne in 2023 when he reached the semifinals — and he actually appears to be like like he is able to repeating that feat once more this time round.
Paul, the event’s No. 12 seed, had dramatically completely different matches all through the primary week. He wanted 5 units (and a medical timeout for therapy on his shoulder) to get previous O’Connell, an Aussie who had the group behind him, within the first spherical, however then recorded bagel units in opposition to each Nishikori and Carballes Baena. In his third-round 7-6 (0), 6-2, 6-0 victory over Carballes Baena, Paul had 56 winners to 29 unforced errors, and he gained 37 of 46 web factors.
“That is positively the sport plan coming in, for many of my matches, attempt to get to the online and play aggressive,” Paul mentioned throughout his on-court interview after the match. “Right this moment it labored out. I used to be proud of how I performed.”
Paul defeated Davidovich Fokina within the spherical of 64 throughout his triumphant 2023 Australian Open — and within the two different matches they’ve since performed, each additionally in 2023. However that actually does not imply a victory is assured. Davidovich Fokina has confirmed he can by no means be counted out this week as he turned the primary man in 20 years to earn consecutive two-set comeback wins on the Australian Open.
And no matter what occurs within the fourth spherical or past, Paul is anticipated to interrupt into the highest 10 for the primary time in his profession when the rankings are launched following the Australian Open. He’s at present No. 9 within the reside rankings.
Who she has overwhelmed up to now: Peyton Stearns, Wang Xiyu, Ons Jabeur
Up subsequent: No. 9 Daria Kasatkina
The No. 8 seed Navarro had a breakthrough season in 2024, reaching the semifinals on the US Open and the quarterfinals at Wimbledon, along with successful her first WTA title (Hobart) and making the Olympic staff.
Whereas she went simply 1-2 in her two lead-in tournaments forward of the Australian Open, it appears the 23-year-old has introduced her greatest, or not less than grittiest, tennis to Melbourne. She has wanted deciding units in all three matches so far, and she or he managed to carry off a resurgent Jabeur in Saturday’s third-round conflict, successful 6-4, 3-6, 6-4.
“I like three units! I like tennis a lot I am unable to resist, I acquired to play three units” Navarro joked on court docket after the match. “I simply needed to stay in there and maintain believing in myself and know that if I put myself in the most effective place to do what I wish to do, then possibly I will come out and high. I used to be in a position to do this.”
She then went on to credit score her dad for her endurance in lengthy matches and the way he used to “drag” her and her siblings into grueling hikes and bike rides.
Navarro, a former NCAA champion, is now into the fourth spherical on the occasion for the primary time — and she or he has reached the second week in any respect 4 majors in simply her ninth Slam look. She is the one American girl apart from Gauff to have reached the 4 main fourth rounds for the reason that begin of final season.
She’s going to tackle Kasatkina, a 2022 French Open semifinalist, on Monday of their first profession assembly. The 27-year-old Kasatkina has not misplaced a set up to now in Melbourne and has dropped simply 12 whole video games.
Alex Michelsen
Who he has overwhelmed up to now: No. 11 Stefanos Tsitsipas, James McCabe, No. 19 Karen Khachanov
Up subsequent: No. 8 Alex de Minaur
There may be maybe nobody within the event with a extra spectacular run to the fourth spherical than 20-year-old Michelsen.
Making simply his second look on the Australian Open — and having reached the third spherical throughout his debut in 2024 — Michelsen is the third-youngest American man since Andy Roddick did so in 2003 to achieve the second week in Melbourne, and the sixth youngest within the Open Period. He’s additionally simply the third U.S. males’s participant since 1990 (14 years earlier than he was born) to defeat two ATP top-20 gamers earlier than the spherical of 16 at a serious.
Throughout his first-round stunner over Tsitsipas, a 2023 finalist on the occasion, Michelsen performed fearless tennis and took management early. Regardless of the second and the opponent, Michelsen and his confidence by no means wavered. He defeated his far-more-experienced opponent in 4 units. On Saturday in opposition to Khachanov, a 2023 Australian Open semifinalist, he gained in straight units and efficiently thwarted any of Khachanov’s efforts to get again into the match.
“I performed unbelievable for many of the match,” Michelsen mentioned on court docket. “I do not know what is going on on. … I’ve by no means hit my forehand that properly. I am tremendous completely satisfied and hope to maintain this momentum going.”
Having already gained over the group together with his audacious play, he continued to enamor followers within the stands as he joked about not having time to correctly chat together with his mom again residence in California earlier within the day.
“Mother, hello! I am sorry I solely known as you for a minute this morning. I had issues to do,” he mentioned wanting into the digital camera. “I like you. I miss you. I hope all the things’s good at residence.”
Presently ranked No. 42, Michelsen is now projected to rise to a profession excessive of No. 34 within the newest rankings after Saturday’s win — and can be simply exterior the highest 30 with one other victory. He has twice performed in opposition to De Minaur, splitting their two matches however successful their lone hard-court contest in Los Cabos this previous February 6-4, 6-1.
Who she has overwhelmed up to now: Ann Li, Elena-Gabriela Ruse, No. 10 Danielle Collins
Up subsequent: No. 6 Elena Rybakina
Maybe probably the most skilled American remaining, the 29-year-old Keys is a two-time semifinalist in Melbourne and likewise performed within the 2017 US Open ultimate. The No. 19 seed opened her 2025 season with a quarterfinal look in Auckland and the title final week in Adelaide. She is now driving an eight-match win streak into the fourth spherical, following her 6-4, 6-4 third-round victory over fellow American (and event villain) Collins on Saturday.
The victory marked her fifth win over a top-10 opponent on the Australian Open however her first since beating Barbora Krejcikova, the then-No. 4 seed, within the quarterfinals in 2022.
“I have been enjoying some good tennis,” Keys mentioned on court docket Saturday night time. “I all the time actually love enjoying in Australia.”
Keys now appears to be like to achieve her eleventh main quarterfinal however will first should get previous Rybakina, the 2022 Wimbledon champion, on Monday. They’ve every gained twice of their head-to-head collection, with Rybakina taking their most up-to-date assembly in Miami final 12 months. Keys gained their solely earlier showdown at a serious, nevertheless, with a three-set victory within the third spherical on the 2022 French Open.
Learner Tien
Who he has overwhelmed up to now: Camilo Ugo Carabelli, No. 5 Daniil Medvedev, Corentin Moutet (Qualifying: Gregoire Barrere, Juan Pablo Ficovich, Jozef Kovalik)
Up subsequent: Lorenzo Sonego
Simply probably the greatest tales of the event, the 19-year-old Tien has gone from qualifying to the fourth spherical in his Australian Open debut behind strong play and a seismic upset over Medvedev, a three-time finalist, within the second spherical.
Tien is now the youngest man to achieve the second week on the occasion since Rafael Nadal in 2005 and the second-youngest American man within the Open Period to take action, behind solely Pete Sampras.
“I do not assume I can begin evaluating myself to [Nadal] now, however that is actually cool,” Tien, who was the runner-up on the Subsequent Gen ATP Finals in December, mentioned when advised of what he had achieved.
Throughout his win over Medvedev, Tien wanted 5 units — and almost 5 hours — in a match that ended simply earlier than 3 a.m. He had his preliminary match level within the third set, however Medvedev clawed his approach again. It was in the end determined, nearly two hours after that first match level try, in a 10-point deciding-set tiebreak, and Tien confirmed his steely resolve for a 6-3, 7-6 (4), 6-7 (8), 1-6, 7-6 (7) ultimate rating.
“It was positively tougher than possibly it may have been, however, no matter,” Tien later advised the group.
However on Saturday, taking the court docket simply hours after coaching accomplice Michelsen secured his ticket to the second week, Tien was way more environment friendly. He defeated Moutet in straight units, 7-6 (10), 6-3, 6-3. He could not disguise his pleasure about what he had achieved after the match.
“This [has] exceeded my expectations, what I hoped for coming into this week,” Tien mentioned. “You go into each match believing you possibly can win, however to be within the second week is wonderful.”
He’ll subsequent play Sonego, who can be looking for his maiden Slam quarterfinal bid, for the primary time. Nonetheless, it doesn’t matter what occurs in Monday’s match, Tien can be one of many event’s huge winners. He arrived in Melbourne ranked No. 121 and ought to be within the high 80 within the subsequent rankings — a brand new profession excessive. He could have nearly doubled his profession earnings by reaching the fourth spherical.
Who he has overwhelmed up to now: Brandon Nakashima, Pablo Carreno Busta, No. 16 Lorenzo Musetti
Up subsequent: Gael Monfils
The 22-year-old Shelton has gone considerably below the radar throughout his newest run in Melbourne as his (barely) youthful cohorts obtain a lot of the limelight. He even joked about being “previous information” firstly of his information convention on Saturday. Nonetheless, which may not be the case for for much longer, and he is not all that far faraway from his personal star flip on the event.
Two years in the past, and enjoying exterior of america for the primary time, Shelton was the shock quarterfinalist on the Australian Open and went on to advance to the semifinals on the US Open later within the 12 months. Since then, he has grow to be one of many nation’s best-known gamers and has gained two ATP titles. In the course of the first week in Melbourne, he has dropped simply two units and has largely been in management throughout all three of his matches. Throughout Saturday’s conflict with Musetti, who had overwhelmed him in each of their earlier conferences, Shelton staved off a decider by gutting out the victory in a fourth-set tiebreak for a 6-3, 3-6, 6-4, 7-6 (5) win.
“He is positively one of the crucial gifted guys on tour,” Shelton, the No. 21 seed, mentioned after the match. “One of many high three shot-makers on tour. He does some issues you possibly can’t imagine when he is on the court docket. … We are saying on tour if somebody beats you thrice in a row, they’re your daddy, so I used to be combating to not let that occur.”
It marked Shelton’s third victory over a top-20 participant at a Slam. He’s now one match away from replicating his earlier greatest lead to Melbourne and from reaching the third main quarterfinal of his profession. However it will not be straightforward in opposition to the resurgent Monfils, a 38-year-old fan favourite who got here again to defeat the closely favored Fritz on Saturday. Shelton and Monfils have by no means performed, but it surely has the potential to be an electrifying traditional between two of the tour’s greatest showmen. Shelton talked about watching Monfils’ profession highlights on YouTube and mentioned he had the “best mixtape” in all of tennis.
Shelton is the one seeded participant remaining in his quarter of the draw, however he mentioned that was irrelevant to him.
“I all the time really feel like I’ve an opportunity,” he advised reporters. “I all the time again myself, I all the time play the massive guys, I really feel like I’ve stuff that may make them uncomfortable. I by no means stroll on the court docket not considering I’ve an opportunity to win. It is simply the best way that I am wired and possibly why I’ve had some success and moments that I in all probability should not have had, or earlier than I used to be actually prepared for it. I do not actually care who’s on the opposite aspect of the court docket.”