Australian Open Showdowns: Gauff vs. Bencic, Sabalenka vs. Andreeva, Alcaraz vs. Draper

MELBOURNE, Australia — The Australian Open‘s fourth round promises thrilling matchups as top players clash in Melbourne. Coco Gauff faces Belinda Bencic, Aryna Sabalenka takes on Mirra Andreeva, and Carlos Alcaraz battles Jack Draper in must-see encounters.

Gauff, the American rising star, enters the match in peak form, while Bencic, returning from maternity leave, acknowledges the challenge. “I was able to watch her a little bit when I was just lying on the couch for the last nine months,” Bencic joked. The two have split their previous matches, with Gauff winning their most recent encounter in 2023. Both players, known for their counterpunching styles and two-handed backhands, will test each other’s resilience on the hard courts.

In another marquee matchup, world No. 1 Sabalenka faces 17-year-old Andreeva, who has already proven her mettle against top players. Andreeva, who upset Sabalenka at Roland Garros in 2024, admitted, “Honestly, I’m so tired to play against her.” Despite her fatigue, Andreeva’s powerful groundstrokes could trouble Sabalenka, who has yet to drop a set but has shown vulnerability under pressure.

Meanwhile, Alcaraz, the Spanish sensation, prepares to face Draper, who has endured three grueling five-set matches. Draper, who defeated Alcaraz on grass last summer, hopes his resilience and lefty serve will give him an edge. “I need to take my chances,” Draper said. “Against the top players, you get less and less chances to win games and sets.”

As the tournament progresses, these matches highlight the depth of talent and the physical and mental demands of Grand Slam tennis. Fans can expect high-intensity battles as players vie for a spot in the quarterfinals.