While comebacks seemed the order of the day for some of the men’s seeds, Ugo Humbert wasn’t in as much trouble as either Nishikori or Fils against fellow lefty Matteo Gigante.

The No.14 seed – a finalist in front of his home faithful at the Paris Masters in November – looked like he would split the first two sets against the Italian, yet turned the second set around for a 7-6(5) 7-5 6-4 win.  

Gigante, a qualifier competing in his first Grand Slam main draw, led Humbert 5-2 in the second.

“He plays really good. I practised with him in Sydney two weeks ago,” Humbert said to the crowd, referring to the pair’s time at the United Cup. “I was sure he was really dangerous. It was not easy. I played well in the key moments.”

That he did. Humbert only won four more points in the two hour, 49-minute clash.

Jiri Lehecka loves playing in Australia. His first title came in Adelaide last year, his second followed in Brisbane this month, and the first Grand Slam main draw the Czech ever contested came at Australian Open 2022.

He made his first Grand Slam quarterfinal at Melbourne Park in 2023, too.

The victories kept coming on Sunday for the No.24 seed, who downed Australian wildcard Li Tu 6-1 3-6 6-3 7-6(1).  

Lehecka smothered Tu with his aggressive baseline tennis in the 23-minute opening set. But Tu – who stopped playing years ago before returning to the game – saved a break point at 1-1 in the second, then broke for 3-1 to change the complexion of the affair.

Lehecka had to save a break point at 5-3 in the third against the flashy world No. 168 from Adelaide – Tu dropped his racquet in disbelief after erring on a makeable volley – and needed a tiebreak in set four.

“I knew that Li would be a tough test,” Lehecka, who dealt with a back injury in 2024, said post-match. “And I felt that today. It was a great match. We both played (at the) limit.”

Tomas Machac endured an eventful United Cup. Hindered by cramps, the fiery No.26 seed in Melbourne retired in the second set against Taylor Fritz.

But in another example of his ability, Lehecka’s countryman led the US Open finalist by a set, 5-2 and held match points.

Last year during his breakout season, he beat Novak Djokovic and Carlos Alcaraz – and took gold in mixed doubles at the Olympics with Katerina Siniakova.  

He began AO 2025 in style on Sunday, getting past India’s Sumit Nagal 6-3 6-1 7-5, Machac striking 38 winners against one of the fastest players on tour.

If he emulates his third-round showing of 2024, Machac could meet Djokovic.