Arizona Tribune - Medvedev in great touch as he starts 2026 with Brisbane cruise

World number 13 Medvedev looked in ominous form as he demolished Hungary's Marton Fucsovics 6-2, 6-3 in just 69 minutes in the warm-up tournament for the Australian Open which begins on January 18.

"Sometimes you can play well and lose, but I know that also when I play well, I win a lot of matches," said the Russian Medvedev.

"So I'm happy to play well today and to win the match," added Medvedev, who next plays American Frances Tiafoe.

Lehecka, the third seed, saw off Machac 6-4, 6-7 (5/7), 6-2 in almost two-and-a-half hours.

The 24-year-old has won two tournaments in his career, both in Australia.

"The weather and the court conditions here are things that I look forward to," he said.

"There's no better place to start the season than here.

"It was a great match -- I think the level was high for a first match of the season for both of us, so I'm super happy for the win."

Lehecka now plays American Sebastian Korda, who beat Monaco's Valentin Vacherot 7-6 (7/1), 6-3.

Alex Michelsen survived a tough battle against Australian qualifier James Duckworth 6-7 (4/7), 7-6 (7/2), 6-3 and will next face fellow American Learner Tien.

In the women's draw, qualifying lucky loser Yulia Putintseva of Kazakhstan beat American Hailey Baptiste 6-2, 6-4 to set up a second-round clash with Ukraine's Marta Kostyuk.

Chinese qualifier Zhang Shuai, 36, turned back the clock when she beat Ashlyn Krueger of the US 6-4, 5-7, 6-4.

She will now face former champion and world number five Elena Rybakina.

S.Jackson--AT