Tien prepares for clash with Medvedev, Sabalenka faces teen titan Mboko

MELBOURNE, Jan 24 : The Australian Open fourth round begins on Sunday as the year's first Grand Slam enters its second week, with top seeds Aryna Sabalenka and Carlos Alcaraz in action during the day session.

Coco Gauff and Alexander Zverev are also playing, while sixth seed Alex de Minaur carries Australia's hopes in the night session.

TOP MEN'S MATCH: MEDVEDEV V TIEN

When Learner Tien began knocking on the door of elite tennis in 2025, he crossed paths repeatedly with Daniil Medvedev and what began as an upset in the second round last year turned into an unexpected yet compelling trilogy.

The American arrived in Melbourne as the 25th seed, but last year he was outside the top 100 when he upset Medvedev in an epic five-setter that lasted nearly five hours.

Their paths crossed again in Beijing where Medvedev was forced to retire in the decider but the Russian finally beat him in Shanghai in another match that went the distance.

"The thing is that I kind of don't like to play him, but he must hate to play me as well. All our matches... it's long, brutal rallies," Medvedev said.

"There's going to be a lot of shot-making, a lot of good defence from both of us, some passing shots. I'm going to try to enjoy the game of tennis. Of course, try to do my best to maybe surprise him somewhere."

Tien said all three matches against the former world number one have been tough as neither player makes it easy on their opponents.

"We both don't give up too many free points. I think naturally that makes the rallies very long, games very long," Tien said.

"We both have to work very hard for points and games. I think matches just kind of drag out."

TOP WOMEN'S MATCH: SABALENKA V MBOKO

Victoria Mboko will tick off two major career firsts when she faces