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Major upsets have happened since the 2023 Australian Open started, here's a look at the top casualties at the tournament.
The first week of the 2023 Australian Open witnessed major upsets never seen in the tournament's history.
Top seeds expected to win the men's events have been shown the exit door, while a handful of seeded players on the women's side have lost as well. This year's tournament has propelled new names to the limelight, showing they have what it takes to be the future of the sport.
With the round of 16 scheduled to take place, here's a look at the biggest upsets in week 1 at the 2023 Australian Open.
McKenzie McDonald knocked out Rafael Nadal (second round)
Defending champion and top seed Rafael Nadal was knocked out in the second round, losing to Mackenzie McDonald 6-4 6-4 7-5.
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It was an emotional rollercoaster for Nadal, who lost the first set and got injured mid-playing in the second set, but still found that zeal to continue, though it was not enough to see him through.
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His loss abruptly ended his title defense and bid for a record-extending 23 Grand Slam titles, and is his first loss to an American at a major outside the US, also marking his earliest exit from the event since 2016.
Sebastian Korda stunned Daniil Medvedev to advance to the round of 16
In a convincing win and major upset, Sebastian Korda dominated the fourth-round match against last year's finalist, Daniil Medvedev 7-6(7) 6-3 7-6(4), advancing to the round of 16.
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The 22-year-old got his biggest career win against the No. 7 seed, where his father Petr won the Australian Open 25 years ago.
The American youngster unleashed a lethal mix of power, acute angles, changes of pace, and slick court craft to dash the Russian’s hopes of a hat-trick of Melbourne Park final appearances.
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With Medvedev's loss, after spending 16 weeks as world No. 1 in 2022, he will go down the rankings out of the top 10.
Markéta Vondroušová outclassed Ons Jabeur (Second round)
Africa's No. 1 tennis player and second seed, Ons Jabeur, was outclassed by former French Open finalist Marketa Vondrousova 6-1 7-5 6-1 to reach the third round of the women's singles.
It was Vondrousova's first complete win over Jabeur in five meetings.
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Jabeur, a 2022 Wimbledon and the US Open finalist, came to Australia hoping to be a title contender but could not capitalize on the momentum.
The Tunisian star took to her social media platforms and penned an emotional note to fans about her health issues and early exit. "Despite the health issues, I will keep fighting and come back stronger and stronger. Time to recover and get healthier. Thank you all for your support. Thank you Australia, see you soon!" she wrote.
Alexei Popyrin reigned supreme over Taylor Fritz in the second round
Australian wildcard Alexei Popyrin shocked No. 8 seed Taylor Fritz 6-7(4) 7-6(2) 6-4 6-7(6) 6-2 to reach the third round.
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His Top 10 win against Fritz was his fourth overall and his second at a major, after his 2019 victory against Dominic Thiem in the second round of the same tournament.
Jenson Brooksby shocked Casper Ruud in the Second round
Second seed Casper Ruud was shown the exit door in the second round, losing to hard-hitting American Jenson Brooksby 6-3 7-5 6-7(4) 6-2, advancing to the third round.
It was the American's first Top 3 win in his debut Australian Open and the biggest win of his career by frustrating the two-time major finalist.
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Ruud was one of the favorites to win the title going into the tournament. With the defeat, he missed his chance to leave Melbourne as the top-ranked ATP player.
Varvara Gracheva dismantled Daria Kasatkina in the first round
No.8 seed Daria Kasatkina became the first Top 10 player to lose in the women's singles 6-1 6-1 to Varvara Gracheva in just 54 minutes.
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Kasatkina's best result at a Grand Slam tournament was reaching the semifinals of the 2022 French Open.
Zhu Lin stunned Maria Sakkari
Chinese women's singles player Zhu Lin had the biggest win of her career over No. 6 seed Maria Sakkari 7-6(3) 1-6 6-4 to reach the round of 16 at a Grand Slam tournament for the first time in her career.
Sakkari became the ninth player from Break Point to exit from Melbourne.
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In her interview with CGTN after the match, Lin was full of praise for the Chinese fans.
"I want to say in Chinese that today is Chinese New Year's Eve. Thank you to all the fans for cheering me on, and I hope you have a happy Spring Festival," she said.
She is now the only unseeded player left in the top half of the draw and will face Victoria Azarenka in the next round.
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