MELBOURNE, Australia — Day 4 at the Australian Open saw the tournament settle into rhythm, with top seeds advancing in controlled fashion, a few rising players making statements and several matches decided less by fireworks than by discipline and execution.

World No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka continued her efficient start to the tournament, dismissing Bai Zhuoxuan 6-3, 6-1 to move into the third round. Sabalenka was largely untroubled, dictating play from the baseline and losing serve just once as she steadily wore down the Chinese qualifier.

“I’m feeling confident with my game,” Sabalenka said. “I’m serving well and finding my shots early, which is important here.”

On the men’s side, Carlos Alcaraz delivered one of the sharper performances of the day, edging through a tight opening set before pulling away for a 7-6 (4), 6-3, 6-2 victory over Yannick Hanfmann. Alcaraz was patient in the early exchanges, then raised his level once the match opened up, using his speed to extend rallies and force errors.
“I stayed calm when it was close,” Alcaraz said. “Once I broke through in the first set, I felt more comfortable.”

American Coco Gauff was similarly composed, rolling past Olga Danilovic 6-2, 6-2 in a match that rarely shifted from her control. The third seed served cleanly and took the ball early, preventing Danilovic from settling into rallies.

“I think I did a good job staying aggressive but not rushing,” Gauff said. “That was the key today.”

A more physical test awaited Alexander Zverev, who dropped a set before regrouping to defeat Alexandre Muller in four. Zverev leaned on his serve late and steadied himself after momentum swings, avoiding the type of early-round exit that has troubled him in Melbourne in the past.

Home favorite Alex de Minaur provided the loudest moment of the day, shaking off a first-set loss and a rain delay before pulling away from Hamad Medjedovic 6-7, 6-2, 6-2, 6-1. Once play resumed, de Minaur’s speed and consistency proved decisive.

“I knew I had to be patient,” de Minaur said. “Even after losing the first set, I felt like I was playing the right way.”

Among the standout results, teenager Mirra Andreeva produced one of the most emphatic wins of the tournament, overpowering Maria Sakkari 6-0, 6-4. Andreeva struck cleanly from both wings and never allowed the former semifinalist to establish rhythm.

Not all the news was positive for former champions. Emma Raducanu exited in straight sets, undone by inconsistency at key moments as Anastasia Potapova advanced.

As the tournament moves deeper into the second round, the margins are narrowing. Day 4 offered a reminder that at Melbourne Park, progress often comes not through brilliance alone, but through patience, steadiness and the ability to take chances when they finally appear.