Sports | Australian Open 2026 Day 11: Heatwave Eases as Musetti Seeks Revenge on Djokovic After Dramatic Retirement
By Newzvia
Quick Summary
Cooler conditions returned to Melbourne Park on Day 11 of the Australian Open 2026 after a scorching 42.7°C heatwave forced play to halt. Lorenzo Musetti, who retired injured against Novak Djokovic in a rematch of their 2021 French Open clash, now plots his comeback. Meanwhile, Elena Rybakina stunned Iga Swiatek to advance in the women's draw.
Australian Open 2026 Day 11: Relief from Heat as Drama Unfolds
After a brutal 42.7°C heatwave suspended play across Melbourne Park, cooler conditions ushered in Day 11 of the Australian Open 2026, allowing key matches to proceed under more favorable skies. Fans returned to a revitalized atmosphere as top players battled for semifinal spots, with standout performances highlighting resilience amid challenging weather.
Musetti's Heartbreak Against Djokovic Echoes Past Encounter
Lorenzo Musetti faced Novak Djokovic in a highly anticipated quarterfinal clash, carrying the weight of a previous retirement against the Serbian at the 2021 French Open. Musetti started strongly, capturing the first two sets 6-4, 6-3, but was forced to retire at 1-3 in the third set due to injury, handing Djokovic a hard-fought victory.
Djokovic, who has played minimally in recent rounds including a walkover in the fourth, praised Musetti's prowess post-match. "He was the far better player. I was on my way home tonight," Djokovic admitted, noting Musetti's ability to extend points and disrupt rhythm. Musetti generated 11 break-point opportunities to Djokovic's six, showcasing his threat before the unfortunate withdrawal.
This marks Djokovic's 103rd win at the Australian Open, surpassing Roger Federer's record in Melbourne. As Musetti eyes future revenge, the tennis world buzzes with speculation on his recovery and rematch potential.
Rybakina Crushes Swiatek in Women's Quarterfinal Upset
In the women's draw, former Wimbledon champion Elena Rybakina delivered a masterclass, defeating second seed Iga Swiatek 7-5, 6-1 to end the Pole's hopes of a first Australian Open title. Rybakina's powerful baseline game overwhelmed Swiatek, who struggled with returns, putting fewer than half in play.
- Rybakina advances to face strong contention in the semifinals.
- Swiatek managed just 10 winners against Rybakina's dominant display.
Pegula Edges Anisimova in All-American Battle
Jessica Pegula progressed with a gritty win over Amanda Anisimova, capitalizing on 58% of points from her opponent's errors. Pegula converted key breaks, winning 68% of second-serve points, and now holds a perfect 4-0 record against Anisimova.
Day 11 underscored the tournament's unpredictability, from weather disruptions to injury retirements and stunning upsets, setting the stage for explosive semifinals.