Bublik the real deal as Kooyong quintet storm into Australian Open third round

The Kooyong Classic quintet of Alexander Bublik, Karen Khachanov, Learner Tien, Frances Tiafoe and Marin Cilic are flourishing at the 2026 Australian Open - with Bublik headlining following his efforts to date.

Catch up on all the best action from the 2026 Kooyong Classic right here via SBS On Demand. 

All five players who competed at last week's Kooyong Classic have safely moved into the third round - with the men's singles draw now at 32 players, having started at 128.

The 2026 Kooyong Classic, which celebrated its 35th year, took place from January 13-15 and featured some scintillating tennis from a host of stars, including the mercurial Nick Kyrgios.

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And while exhibition by definition, the tournament has once again proven to be the perfect tune-up for the first grand slam of the year.

Particularly for 10th-seeded Bublik, who has surged from 80 in the rankings last April to now debuting in the top 10 after winning the Hong Kong Open title to start 2026.

The 28-year-old arrived at Kooyong at the peak of his powers, and after some fun and brilliant shot-making during his clash against China's Bu Yunchaokete, he has carried this form into the Australian Open.

During the opening two rounds of AO26, Bublik has secured straight-set wins over Jenson Brooksby and Marton Fucsovics - both of which have previously been ranked as high as 33 and 31 respectively.

And after watching his two victories courtside - the 28-year-old from Kazakhstan is firming, in terms of form, as the fourth men's singles title contender behind Jannik Sinner, Carlos Alcaraz and Novak Djokovic.

And the charismatic Bublik, who addressed the media after defeating Fucsovics on Wednesday, didn't disappoint when reflecting on his past.

"I used to like to eat junk food a lot. And I used to drink a lot of Coca-Cola, or whatever, but now I don't because that's my choice," Bublik said.

"The same with that mentality. So that's my choice. That's my choice that I feel that it's nice, you know, to stay in the rhythm, it's nice to sleep well, it's nice to be with your family instead of going out. So that's more of a natural way of things.

"For me, if you say I wasted years, if you look from the perspective I am now, it may seem like this. But I was happy. I was doing what I felt to do. I knew the consequence."

With one more victory, he could face fellow Kooyong competitor and 29th-seeded Tiafoe in the fourth round - but the American will need to overcome Australia's top-ranked singles player, Alex de Minaur.

Similarly to de Minaur, Tiafoe dropped a set in his second-round victory over Francisco Comesana - which finished just after midnight on Wednesday night - and the 28-year-old will need to raise his game to be a chance of upsetting the Australian on Friday.

Meanwhile, 25th seed Tien has a strong chance of progressing to the Round of 16 and beyond at Melbourne Park - as he faces 46th-ranked Nuno Borges for a chance to then potentially kicks-tart another battle with 11th-seed Daniil Medvedev.

Tien, who just turned 20 and is coached by Michael Chang, famously defeated Medvedev during the second round of AO25, and the left-hander has been striking the ball well in opening two rounds of this year's Australian Open.

After being crowned 2026 Kooyong Classic champion, 15th seed Khachanov has also progressed to the third round of AO26 - despite a particularly difficult opening round encounter against impressive youngster, Alex Michelsen.

Khachanov has previously reached the Australian Open semi-finals three years ago, and is on the verge of another decent run at Melbourne Park.

But the 29-year-old will potentially face back-to-back AO champion Sinner in the Round of 16, and will need to draw on some inspired tennis to stand a chance against the Italian.

And the final man of the Kooyong quintet still alive at AO26 is Cilic, who impressed with a straight sets second round victory over 21st seed Denis Shapovalov on Thursday.

Shapovalov, who also competed at Kooyong last week, tested the Croatian but the 37-year-old and former Australian Open finalist proved too strong - and could now face 12th seed Casper Ruud in a blockbuster third round clash.

This 2026 'Kooyong Classic quintet' are set for a deep run at the first grand slam of the year – with the Kooyong Classic once again holding competitors in good stead for the season ahead.

A reminder that you catch up on all the best action from the 2026 Kooyong Classic right here via SBS On Demand.