Aussie Aleksandar Vukic bows out of Open

Vukic had his moments during Wednesday's second-round match at Melbourne Park, but could never capitalise against the world No.124, going down 6-4 7-6 (7-4) 6-4.

The 25-year-old missed opportunities to win the first two sets, but was forced to claw his way back from 1-4 down in the third.

Despite Vukic's brief comeback, where the right-hander broke serve for the only time in the contest, Albot was eventually able to close out the match in two hours and 16 minutes.

Vukic bows out from his home grand slam after last week reaching his first ATP Tour quarter-final in Adelaide.

Veteran John Millman was the second Australian man up on Wednesday, but proved no match for German No.3 seed Alexander Zverev on Rod Laver Arena.

Millman took it to the Olympic gold medallist during the first two sets, but Zverev's talent won out and he prevailed 6-4 6-4 6-0.

It promises to be a big day of Australian action on Thursday, with Samantha Stosur stepping out for what could be her last singles appearance at Melbourne Park.

Stosur is playing in her 20th and final Australian Open and will enter her match against Russian No.10 seed Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova as a rank outsider.

Nick Kyrgios' showdown with title favourite Daniil Medvedev promises to be must-watch after the enigmatic Australia's impressive first-round victory over Great Britian's Liam Broady.

In nine-time champion Novak Djokovic's absence, Medvedev is the man to beat at Melbourne Park after breaking through for his first grand slam title at last year's US Open.

AUSSIES IN ACTION ON DAY FOUR OF THE AUSTRALIAN OPEN

(PREFIX DENOTES SEEDING):

Men's singles, second round:

32-Alex de Minaur v Kamil Majchrzak (POL)

Nick Kyrgios v 2-Daniil Medvedev (RUS)

Chris O'Connell v 13-Diego Schwartzman (ARG)

Women's singles, second round:

Samantha Stosur v 10-Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova (RUS)

Maddison Inglis v Hailey Baptiste (USA)

Australian Associated Press