Australian Open 2025: Gauff, Osaka, Djokovic Face Tough Third-Round Tests

MELBOURNE, Australia — The 2025 Australian Open has reached its third round, and the competition is heating up as top seeds Coco Gauff, Naomi Osaka, and Novak Djokovic face formidable challenges. The tournament, held at Melbourne Park, has already delivered thrilling matches, and the upcoming clashes promise to keep fans on the edge of their seats.

World No. 3 Coco Gauff is set to face Leylah Fernandez in a highly anticipated rematch. The two last met at the United Cup last month, where Gauff secured a decisive 6-3, 6-2 victory. Gauff, 20, has been preparing meticulously for Fernandez’s left-handed spin, practicing with left-handed players in the lead-up to the match. “We’ll see two days from now,” Gauff said. “Obviously, I did well at United Cup. It’s a different match, different story.” Fernandez, 22, a 2021 US Open finalist, is known for her aggressive play and ability to challenge top players. Gauff acknowledged her opponent’s strengths, saying, “She’s going to be aggressive. That’s her game. She’s a great mover. She’s going to hit some great shots.”

Meanwhile, Naomi Osaka, a two-time Australian Open champion, is gearing up for a showdown with Belinda Bencic. Bencic, returning to the tour after the birth of her first child, has shown impressive form, defeating 16th seed Jelena Ostapenko in the first round. Osaka, who has been working with coach Patrick Mouratoglou, has also been sharp, rallying from a first-set loss to win her second-round match. “I feel good to play her,” Bencic said of Osaka. “I think it’s going to be a nice match. Hopefully on a big court.” The two have a history of competitive matches, with Bencic holding a 3-1 edge in their tour-level meetings.

On the men’s side, Novak Djokovic, the 10-time Australian Open champion, faces a stern test against 26th-seeded Tomas Machac. Djokovic, 37, has already endured grueling matches, including a three-hour battle against 21-year-old Jaime Faria. Machac, 24, is a rising star who has proven his mettle against top players, including a victory over Carlos Alcaraz in Shanghai last October. Djokovic and Machac have split their two previous meetings, both of which went to three sets. “Another three-hour match, back to back against the youngsters,” Djokovic said, reflecting on his recent matches. Despite the challenge, Djokovic’s experience and ability to elevate his game in the later rounds of Grand Slams make him the favorite.

Other notable matches include a clash between Paula Badosa and Marta Kostyuk, two players in strong form. Badosa, a former world No. 2, has looked confident in her opening matches, while Kostyuk, a quarterfinalist at last year’s Australian Open, has shown flashes of brilliance. The two have split their four previous meetings, setting the stage for a tightly contested match.

As the tournament progresses, the stakes continue to rise. With Gauff, Osaka, and Djokovic all facing tough opponents, the third round promises to deliver high-quality tennis and potential upsets. Fans can follow the action live on the TENNIS.com app, which offers live scores, draws, and daily orders of play.