Three to See, Australian Open Day 10: Kostyuk vs. Gauff, Djokovic vs. Fritz, Sinner vs. Rublev

Marta Kostyuk vs. Coco Gauff

The first quarterfinal of the new year is expected to set the bar for the rest to follow.

Kostyuk is the underdog coming into this match, as all eyes have pointed to Gauff, who continues to roll on the major stage after winning the US Open title—but the Ukrainian should not be dismissed. In the past year, Kostyuk has defeated more than her share of Top 10 players, incudling Ons Jabeur, Maria Sakkari and Caroline Garcia.

Even Barbora Krejcikova, who’s playing a quarterfinal match against Aryna Sabalenka to close out Day 10, has lost to Kostyuk in the past year.

Although Kostyuk and Gauff have had several run-ins in the past year in doubles, their only singles meeting was back in 2022—and that went to a deciding set. So buckle in for a good show tonight.

Novak Djokovic vs. Taylor Fritz

Good morning, Djokovic. It’s time to wake up in Week 2.

Let’s face it: Djokovic has yet not needed to show his best tennis through four rounds in Melbourne, and if Fritz doesn’t play at the same level that knocked out Stefanos Tsitsipas in the previous round, then the Serb will have no problem bouncing into the semifinals.

Yes, Djokovic has nearly as many wins over Fritz as Rublev has losses in the quarterfinals. But that doesn’t mean Fritz is out of the running.

He’s had a tough year playing as the No. 1 American, but his level of play in Melbourne is evidence that he’s learned to manage the pressure.

All he needs to do is have one more pressure-less tennis day to get over the teeny, tiny hurdle that is the world No. 1 to remain in the draw. How hard can that really be?

Jannik Sinner vs. Andrey Rublev

Now this is the quarterfinals match of the day that will have fans torn and aching and stressed. Sure, the previous two matches and Sabalenka’s quarterfinal are going to be great showings of tennis, but this? This is going to be epic.

Sinner's rise in the last year has been a joy felt around the world. The 22-year-old understands the game just as well as the top-ranked players ahead of him, and is competitive with them at every showing. In Melbourne, his first four rounds have been a walk in the park (and we’re talking Grand Slam-level matches over here.) He's dropped just 34 games in 12 sets.

Everyone fears Sinner, and they have every reason to.

Rublev should be worried, too, especially with a 0-9 Grand Slam quarterfinal record looming over him. As the match progresses and the pressure heightens, not only is Rublev going to have to dig deep to prevail, but he’s going to have to set aside this baggage and play through it.

Will Rublev carry the 'Rublo' clothing line into a first Grand Slam semifinal or will the Sinner-ssance march onward in the draw?