Australian wildcard Dane Sweeny achieved the biggest victory of his career on Thursday, defeating 14th seed Lorenzo Musetti 3-6, 6-1, 6-2, 6-2 at the 2026 US Open. Standing 170cm tall, Sweeny booked a maiden grand slam third-round appearance at Flushing Meadows, securing a minimum pay day of $US290,000.
Fantasy & Market Impact
Breaking Down the Upset at Flushing Meadows
The matchup on Thursday pitted the unheralded 170cm Australian against a dual grand slam semi-finalist in Musetti. But the tape told a clear tactical story as the match wore on.
Musetti dominated the opening frame, dictating play with his trademark single-handed backhand. But Sweeny shifted the momentum decisively in the second set, utilizing depth control and relentless court coverage to run his opponent ragged. After falling behind a double break at 0-3 in the third set, Musetti required a medical time-out and continued remonstrating animatedly to his courtside box as the unseeded underdog systematically closed out the match.
The Athletic Toll and Acrobatic Volleys
Despite entering the contest nursing a massive ice pack on his right elbow following his grueling first-round victory, Sweeny showed zero hesitation in committing to the forecourt. He repeatedly channeled Boris Becker with diving, acrobatic winning volleys at the net, punishing any short balls left hanging by a visibly distressed Musetti.
“I’m just grateful to be even able to compete in grand slams. The tennis journey is such a rollercoaster,” Sweeny noted following the match, reflecting on the arduous climb from the qualifying circuit to the bright lights of the main draw.
Broader Australian Fortunes in New York
Sweeny’s progression contrasted sharply with the mixed fortunes of his compatriots on the grounds. Fellow underdog Tristan Schoolkate saw his inspired run from qualifying halted by fifth-seeded French Open runner-up Flavio Cobolli, who prevailed 3-6, 6-3, 6-4, 7-5 after two hours and 41 minutes of grueling baseline exchanges.
| Player | Opponent | Result | Tournament Stage |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dane Sweeny (WC) | Lorenzo Musetti (14) | Won 3-6, 6-1, 6-2, 6-2 | Round 2 |
| Tristan Schoolkate (Q) | Flavio Cobolli (5) | Lost 3-6, 6-3, 6-4, 7-5 | Round 2 |
| Alexei Popyrin | Alejandro Tabilo (25) | Lost 2-6, 7-6 (7-4), 7-6 (7-3), 6-2 | Round 2 |
Meanwhile, Alexei Popyrin suffered a familiar heartbreak in the second round. Two years after his famous third-round upset over Novak Djokovic at Flushing Meadows, Popyrin seized the opening set against 25th-seeded Chilean Alejandro Tabilo before dropping two pivotal tiebreakers and slipping to a 2-6, 7-6 (7-4), 7-6 (7-3), 6-2 defeat.
Looking Ahead to the Last 32
With his ticket punched to the final 32, Sweeny turns his attention to another Italian adversary. He will face world No.22 Luciano Darderi on Saturday (AEST) with a spot in the second week of a major on the line. Armed with newfound ranking security and a career-defining scalp, the diminutive Australian enters the next phase of the tournament with nothing to lose.
Disclaimer: The fantasy and market insights provided are for informational and entertainment purposes only and do not constitute financial or betting advice.
