Served with Andy Roddick: Australian Open 2026 – Quarterfinals Preview & Day 9 Recap

Podcast: Served with Andy Roddick
Episode: AUSTRALIAN OPEN 2026: Quarterfinals Preview & Day 9 Recap
Date: January 26, 2026
Featuring: Andy Roddick (A), Jon Wertheim, Sean (C), Mike (D), Matty Inglis (E), Maddie Keys (F)

Episode Overview

In this lively Australian Open quarterfinals preview and Day 9 recap, Andy Roddick dives into the standout matches, evolving tournament narratives, and player strategies with co-hosts Jon Wertheim, Sean, and Mike. The team analyzes key victories, outlines tactical wrinkles for upcoming showdowns, praises surprise runs, and highlights memorable quotes from players on and off court. The tone is candid, analytical, and full of Roddick’s trademark dry humor.

Table of Contents

• Friendly Banter and Episode Setup
• Recap: Day 9 Highlights and Notable Matches
• In-depth Quarterfinals Preview (Women’s & Men’s Draws)
• Player Spotlights: Insights and Storylines
• Fun and Memorable Off-court Moments
• Final Takes: Most Anticipated Quarterfinals Matches

Friendly Banter and Episode Setup

[01:04–03:00]

• The hosts rib Sean for oversleeping (“I accidentally set my alarm for 7pm not 7am. Rookie mistake.” – Sean, 01:26).
• Andy jokes about child-free life and late-night chats (“He’s going to eat a bag of cheesy poofs. It’s going to be amazing..." – Andy, 02:02).
• They share details from their community Substack, with listeners active in the discussion and even correcting the hosts about Australian holidays.
  (“Somebody told me it was more akin to their Columbus Day or slash, Invasion Day. I was like, what?” – Mike, 03:17)

Recap: Day 9 Highlights and Notable Matches

Jessica Pegula’s Big Win Over Madison Keys

[03:51–06:04]

• Pegula’s solid win was called “pretty straightforward, three and four. It looked like Jess…executed it right… She’s sneaky been rolling people this tournament,” Andy says (04:01).
• Pegula is noted as being under the radar, “while Sabalenka has been taking up a lot of air” (04:44).
• Stat Drop: Pegula becomes the oldest American to beat a reigning women's singles Grand Slam champion in the Open Era, surpassing Serena Williams.

Notable Quote:
“My wife and I were watching the match last night and she was like, Jess looks like jacked...laser focused.” – Mike, 05:24

In-depth Quarterfinals Preview (Women’s & Men’s Draws)

Women’s Quarterfinals Breakdown

• Pegula vs. Anisimova:
  “[At] the beginning of the tournament, I would have said Anisimova… making predictions now is dumb… Pegula's built throughout this tournament.” – Andy, 06:04

• Swiatek vs. Rybakina:

  • Andy analyzes the Swiatek hype and tendency for overreactions:
    “There were a lot of people who had question marks around IGA. IGA seems to be one where we all kind of panic… if she’s not playing perfectly, everyone freaks out.” (06:26)
  • Discusses Swiatek’s head-to-head against Rybakina:
    “IGA 6–2 against her." – Andy, 07:51
    “7 and 2, according to the AO website now.” – Mike, 07:53
  • Deep dive into tactics: IGA's ability to pressure Rybakina’s movement.

• Coco Gauff vs. Svitolina:

  • “Coco is two and oh against Svitolina… the trajectory, playing above your shoulder as opposed to in your pocket.” – Andy, 09:51
  • Svitolina’s form highlighted after dismantling Andrea.

• Sabalenka vs. Jovic:

  • “Sabalenka is obviously the favorite. She always is. I’m curious to see how Jovic starts…” – Andy, 10:40
  • “The expectation is for Sabalenka to roll through her, and Jovic has no expectation. That’s almost more dangerous.” – Mike, 10:57
  • Jovic’s confidence and advice from Djokovic discussed:
    “Novak has been giving her advice, which I think is cool…” – Andy, 11:16

Men’s Quarterfinals Breakdown

Shelton vs. Sinner

• “Shelton… looked great against Casper… The problem is the matchup with Sinner has been by far his most difficult.” – Andy, 13:16
• Dive into tactical keys:
  “Sinner plays lefty well. He’s able to pin him in that backhand corner… The strategy for Sinner is pretty simple: make Ben Shelton beat me with his backhand.” – Andy, 13:52

Notable Quote:
“He has to serve 60% or higher. He has to be getting cheapies off his first serve… Sinner can redistribute and switch directions better than Ben can at this point in his career.” – Andy, 14:28

Musetti vs. Djokovic

• Musetti advances over the ailing Fritz, playing “more mature than in previous years… he sees a mission in what he’s doing.” – Mike, 18:03
• Andy: “Musetti’s legit… close… three in the world is within his sights, which is crazy.” (18:53)
• Djokovic’s dominance in this matchup, but focus on Musetti’s maturity and tactical improvement.

Learner Tien vs. Zverev

• “Zverev plays well against lefties. The lefty slice serve, stressful for most, goes into his strength.” – Andy, 21:34
• Tien’s cool head under pressure: “I just like that he can… even if he loses sets, I don’t see a mental roller coaster. He’s so comfortable.” – Sean, 21:13

Alcaraz vs. de Minaur

• De Minaur’s clean run; Andy highlights “Can you knock out one of these Avengers in the latter stages?” – Andy, 23:47

Player Spotlights: Insights and Storylines

Jessica Pegula

• “Just always prepared. Looks in fantastic shape… laser-focused.” – Mike, 05:24

Iga Swiatek

• Frequent overanalyzing of her non-dominant performances, but she's quietly stacking up big results.

Ben Shelton

• “He just gets better all the time… always at the back end of slams now… it’s consistency and progress.” – Andy, 13:16

Lorenzo Musetti

• “He’s just an absolute grown up… he can play on fast and slow surfaces. We all thought he was a clay guy. He’s not.” – Andy, 20:00

Maddie Keys

• “I’m really trying to not live and die on every single win and loss at this point in my career.” – Maddie Keys, 28:35

Matty Inglis

• After biggest payday:
  “I’ve wanted a SMEG toaster for so long… I think that’s going to be my treat. And maybe the kettle, too.” – Matty Inglis, 27:08

Fun and Memorable Off-court Moments

[26:51–28:13] Perfect Delivery Segment

• Mike’s segment includes Matty Inglis' charming response about spending her winnings (“just wants a toaster” – Andy, 27:32).
• Andy jokes:
  “If you’re a guy watching that in Australia, are you going I need to meet this wonder of a woman who just got half a million dollars and just wants a toaster.” (27:32)
• “If I’m Smeg, I’m sending her a full line of equipment.” – Mike, 27:46

Final Takes: Most Anticipated Quarterfinal Matches

[24:03–25:50]

• Mike: “Sabalenka–Jovic…I think the chess match is going to be one we talk about for a long time. And then, Novak–Musetti. I just want to see if Novak can make a fifth straight semi.” (24:03)
• Sean: “The Alcaraz–Demon one… I’m kind of rooting for them both... Sabalenka–Jovic is hard, too.” (24:32)
• Andy: “If Jovic gets past this match, she could win this tournament… She’s been so good for the eye test so far. If Ben wins a first set against Sinner, are we seeing a shift… not just for this tournament but Tennis at large.” (25:05)

Notable Quotes

• “Making ladder round or second week predictions without having seen anyone and how they build is why you get the dumb calls.” – Andy, 06:04
• “If she’s not playing perfectly, everyone kind of freaks out and jumps off… victim of her own shadow.” – Andy on Swiatek, 06:26
• “Ben’s serve is great, but also makes the point shorter… so you have to favor Sinner in that match.” – Andy, 13:52
• “Props to Musetti… he feels like he’s playing for [his kids]… he sees a mission.” – Mike, 18:03
• “He’s just an absolute grown up… can play on fast and slow… not just a clay guy.” – Andy on Musetti, 20:00
• “Honestly, it feels way better losing and still being defending champion because it means you won.” – Maddie Keys, 28:35
• “All I want is a Smeg toaster...” – Matty Inglis, 27:08

Closing Skit: “If Podcasters Played Each Other at Slams”

[31:04–31:49]

• Andy and Mike joke about what it would be like to record a podcast together if they were facing each other in a Grand Slam fourth round; Andy abruptly ends the “show” in classic tongue-in-cheek style.

For Listeners

You’ll find everything from strategic match breakdowns to lighthearted off-court stories in this engaging episode. Andy and team highlight tournament trends, dissect matchups, celebrate new and veteran player storylines, and keep the tennis conversation fresh.