The American Surge at the Australian Open: A Deep Dive into the Second Week
As the 2024 major season wrapped up, the spotlight was firmly on two American tennis stars, Taylor Fritz and Jessica Pegula, who both made it to the singles finals at the US Open. Their impressive performances, along with other American players’ successes throughout the year, have set the stage for high expectations in 2025.
Fast forward to the Australian Open, where 14 American men and 19 women entered the main draws, and the anticipation for deep runs was palpable. Now, as we find ourselves in the second week of the tournament in Melbourne, it’s clear that the American players are living up to the hype. A record-breaking six American men and five women have reached the third round, a feat not seen since 2004.
Despite early exits for Fritz and Pegula in the round of 32, and other notable players like Frances Tiafoe and Amanda Anisimova also bowing out early, seven Americans remain in the competition. This is the largest American presence in the round of 16 at the Australian Open since 2004.
Among the remaining contenders are three young talents under 21: Coco Gauff, Alex Michelsen, and Learner Tien. This marks the first time since 1991 that two American men aged 20 or under have reached the second week of a major tournament.
It’s been a long wait for an American to claim the title in Australia. The last American woman to win was Sofia Kenin in 2020, and the last American man was Andre Agassi in 2003. Could this be the year that changes?
Let’s take a closer look at the Americans still in the draw, their journey so far, and the challenges they face on their path to the quarterfinals.
Coco Gauff
Who she has beaten so far: Sofia Kenin, Jodie Burrage, No. 30 Leylah Fernandez
Up next: Belinda Bencic
At just 20 years old, Coco Gauff has already established herself as one of the most consistent American performers over the past two seasons. She clinched her first major title at the 2023 US Open and ended 2024 on a high note by winning the WTA Finals. Gauff has started 2025 with eight consecutive victories, becoming only the fifth woman in the Open Era to achieve such a feat. Her impressive form helped lead the U.S. team to victory at the United Cup earlier this month, where she defeated world No. 2 Iga Swiatek in the final.
In Melbourne, Gauff has yet to drop a set and has charmed the crowds with her Marvel-inspired outfits and humorous on-court interviews. Despite some early struggles with her forehand against Fernandez, she remained composed and secured her place in the second week of a Slam for the 14th time.
While fans anticipated a clash with Naomi Osaka, Osaka’s withdrawal due to an abdominal injury means Gauff will face Bencic, the 2020 Olympic gold medalist. The two have met twice before, with each winning once. Gauff emerged victorious in their last encounter in Washington, D.C., in 2023.
Gauff, however, seems unfazed by her next opponent or the prospect of matching her 2024 semifinal result. She shared her perspective after defeating Fernandez, saying, “Tennis feels so high stakes, but it’s really not. I’m so lucky to do what I do — [and] also get paid doing it. My biggest thing I learned last year is just not to take anything for granted, and [I] just realized this time is going to go by so fast.”
Tommy Paul
Who he has beaten so far: Christopher O’Connell, Kei Nishikori, Roberto Carballes Baena
Up next: Alejandro Davidovich Fokina
Tommy Paul, at 27, is looking to replicate his best major result from 2023 when he reached the semifinals in Melbourne. The No. 12 seed has shown his versatility with varied performances in the first week. He battled through five sets against O’Connell, an Aussie favorite, in the first round, but then dominated Nishikori and Carballes Baena, even delivering bagel sets. In his third-round win over Carballes Baena, Paul hit 56 winners to 29 unforced errors and won 37 of 46 net points.
Paul’s aggressive play has been key to his success. “That’s definitely the game plan coming in, for most of my matches, try to get to the net and play aggressive,” he said after his third-round victory. Paul has a favorable record against Davidovich Fokina, having defeated him in their three previous encounters, including during his 2023 Australian Open run. However, Davidovich Fokina has shown resilience this week, becoming the first man in 20 years to achieve consecutive two-set comeback wins at the Australian Open.
Regardless of the outcome in the fourth round, Paul is set to break into the top 10 for the first time in his career, currently sitting at No. 9 in the live rankings.
Emma Navarro
Who she has beaten so far: Peyton Stearns, Wang Xiyu, Ons Jabeur
Up next: No. 9 Daria Kasatkina
Emma Navarro, the No. 8 seed, had a breakthrough year in 2024, reaching the semifinals at the US Open and the quarterfinals at Wimbledon. She also claimed her first WTA title in Hobart and made the Olympic team. Despite a slow start to 2025, Navarro has found her form in Melbourne, winning all her matches in deciding sets. Her victory over Jabeur in the third round was a testament to her grit and determination.
Navarro credited her endurance to her father, who would take her and her siblings on challenging hikes and bike rides. Now into the fourth round at the Australian Open for the first time, Navarro faces Kasatkina, a 2022 French Open semifinalist who has yet to drop a set in Melbourne.
Alex Michelsen
Who he has beaten so far: No. 11 Stefanos Tsitsipas, James McCabe, No. 19 Karen Khachanov
Up next: No. 8 Alex de Minaur
Alex Michelsen, at just 20 years old, has had a remarkable run to the fourth round. Making only his second appearance at the Australian Open, Michelsen is the third-youngest American man since Andy Roddick in 2003 to reach the second week in Melbourne. He is also the third U.S. men’s player since 1990 to defeat two ATP top-20 players before the round of 16 at a major.
Michelsen’s fearless play was evident in his first-round upset over Tsitsipas, a 2023 finalist. He maintained his composure and confidence throughout the match, securing a four-set victory. Against Khachanov, a 2023 Australian Open semifinalist, Michelsen won in straight sets, showcasing his impressive forehand.
Currently ranked No. 42, Michelsen is projected to rise to a career high of No. 34. He will face De Minaur, with whom he has split their two previous matches, winning their only hard-court encounter in Los Cabos.
Madison Keys
Who she has beaten so far: Ann Li, Elena-Gabriela Ruse, No. 10 Danielle Collins
Up next: No. 6 Elena Rybakina
Madison Keys, the most experienced American remaining, is a two-time semifinalist in Melbourne and a 2017 US Open finalist. The No. 19 seed has been in excellent form, winning the title in Adelaide and extending her win streak to eight matches. Her third-round victory over Collins marked her fifth win over a top-10 opponent at the Australian Open.
Keys will face Rybakina, the 2022 Wimbledon champion, in the fourth round. They have each won twice in their head-to-head series, with Keys winning their only major encounter at the 2022 French Open.
Learner Tien
Who he has beaten so far: Camilo Ugo Carabelli, No. 5 Daniil Medvedev, Corentin Moutet (Qualifying: Gregoire Barrere, Juan Pablo Ficovich, Jozef Kovalik)
Up next: Lorenzo Sonego
Learner Tien, at 19, has been one of the tournament’s standout stories. From qualifying to the fourth round in his Australian Open debut, Tien’s journey has been marked by solid play and a stunning upset over Medvedev. He is the youngest man to reach the second week at the event since Rafael Nadal in 2005 and the second-youngest American man in the Open Era to do so.
Tien’s five-set victory over Medvedev was a marathon match that ended just before 3 a.m. Despite the late hour, Tien’s resolve never wavered. He followed up with a straight-sets win over Moutet, securing his place in the second week.
He will face Sonego in the fourth round, with both players seeking their first Slam quarterfinal. Regardless of the outcome, Tien will leave Melbourne as one of the tournament’s big winners, projected to rise to a career high in the rankings.
Ben Shelton
Who he has beaten so far: Brandon Nakashima, Pablo Carreno Busta, No. 16 Lorenzo Musetti
Up next: Gael Monfils
Ben Shelton, at 22, has quietly advanced to the fourth round, overshadowed by his younger compatriots. However, his performances have been impressive, dropping just two sets in the first week. Shelton’s victory over Musetti, a player who had previously beaten him twice, was a testament to his growth and determination.
Shelton is now one match away from matching his best result in Melbourne and reaching his third major quarterfinal. He will face Monfils, a 38-year-old fan favorite, in what promises to be an electrifying encounter. Shelton has never played Monfils but is excited about the challenge, having admired Monfils’ career highlights on YouTube.
As the only seeded player remaining in his quarter of the draw, Shelton remains unfazed by the competition. “I always feel like I have a chance,” he said. “I always back myself, I always play the big guys, I feel like I have stuff that can make them uncomfortable.”
Originally Written by: D’Arcy Maine
