Australian Open 2026 Launches with Star-Studded Opening Day
The Australian Open 2026 is now underway at Melbourne Park. The opening day promises intense action and historic moments. World number one Carlos Alcaraz begins his pursuit of a first Australian Open title. Two-time champion Aryna Sabalenka defends her top seeding. Adding to the excitement, 45-year-old Venus Williams returns via a wildcard. She becomes the oldest woman ever to feature in a Grand Slam singles main draw.
Full Schedule for Day 1 Matches
Rod Laver Arena:
- Women’s Singles: Qualifier Aliaksandra Sasnovich vs No. 7 Jasmine Paolini (ITA) – 6:00 AM IST (January 18) / 7:30 PM ET (January 17)
- Men’s Singles: No. 3 Alexander Zverev (GER) vs Gabriel Diallo (CAN)
- Women’s Singles: No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka vs Wildcard Tiantsoa Rakotomanga Rajaonah (FRA) – approximately 1:30 PM IST / 3:00 AM ET (January 18)
- Men’s Singles: No. 1 Carlos Alcaraz (ESP) vs Adam Walton (AUS)
Margaret Court Arena:
- Women’s Singles: Maria Sakkari (GRE) vs Leolia Jeanjean (FRA) – 6:00 AM IST (January 18) / 7:30 PM ET (January 17)
- Men’s Singles: No. 18 Francisco Cerundolo (ARG) vs Zhizhen Zhang (CHN)
- Men’s Singles: No. 10 Alexander Bublik (KAZ) vs Jenson Brooksby (USA) – around 1:30 PM IST / 3:00 AM ET (January 18)
- Women’s Singles: Mananchaya Sawangkaew vs No. 28 Emma Raducanu (GBR)
John Cain Arena:
- Men’s Singles: Qualifier Arthur Fery (GBR) vs No. 20 Flavio Cobolli (ITA) – 5:30 AM IST (January 18) / 7:00 PM ET (January 17)
- Women’s Singles: No. 12 Elina Svitolina (UKR) vs Cristina Bucsa (ESP) – not before 4:30 AM ET (January 18)
- Men’s Singles: No. 29 Frances Tiafoe (USA) vs Qualifier Jason Kubler (AUS) – not before 8:00 AM IST (not before 9:30 PM ET, January 17)
- Women’s Singles: Olga Danilovic (SRB) vs Wildcard Venus Williams (USA)
Kia Arena:
- Women’s Singles: Wildcard Talia Gibson (AUS) vs Anna Blinkova – 5:30 AM IST (January 18) / 7:00 PM ET (January 17)
- Men’s Singles: Tristan Schoolkate (AUS) vs No. 32 Corentin Moutet (FRA)
- Men’s Singles: Qualifier Michael Zheng (USA) vs Sebastian Korda (USA) – not before 10:00 AM IST, January 18 (not before 11:30 PM ET, January 17)
- Women’s Singles: Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova vs Qualifier Zhuoxuan Bai (CHN)
1573 Arena:
- Men’s Singles: Miomir Kecmanovic (SRB) vs Tomas Martin Etcheverry (ARG) – 5:30 AM IST (January 18) / 7:00 PM ET (January 17)
- Women’s Singles: No. 11 Ekaterina Alexandrova vs Qualifier Zeynep Sonmez (TUR)
- Men’s Singles: Benjamin Bonzi (FRA) vs No. 26 Cameron Norrie (GBR)
ANZ Arena:
- Women’s Singles: No. 26 Dayana Yastremska (UKR) vs Elena-Gabriela Ruse (ROU) – 5:30 AM IST (January 18) / 7:00 PM ET (January 17)
- Women’s Singles: Elsa Jacquemot (FRA) vs No. 20 Marta Kostyuk (UKR)
- Men’s Singles: Camilo Ugo Carabelli (ARG) vs Marton Fucsovics (HUN)
- Women’s Singles: Suzan Lamens (NED) vs Anastasia Potapova (AUT)
Court 6:
- Women’s Singles: Yulia Putintseva (KAZ) vs Beatriz Haddad Maia (BRA) – 5:30 AM IST (January 18) / 7:00 PM ET (January 17)
- Men’s Singles: Emilio Nava (USA) vs Wildcard Kyrian Jacquet (FRA)
- Men’s Singles: Yannick Hanfmann (GER) vs Qualifier Zachary Svajda (USA)
Court 7:
- Men’s Singles: Wildcard Patrick Kypson (USA) vs Francisco Comesana (ARG) – 8:30 AM IST (January 18) / 10:00 PM ET (January 17)
- Women’s Singles: Polina Kudermetova (UZB) vs Qualifier Guiomar Maristany Zuleta De Reales (ESP)
Court 8:
- Women’s Singles: Caty McNally (USA) vs Qualifier Himeno Sakatsume (JPN) – 7:30 AM IST (January 18) / 9:00 PM ET (January 17)
- Men’s Singles: Qualifier Liam Draxl (CAN) vs Damir Dzumhur (BIH)
Court 13:
- Women’s Singles: Hailey Baptiste (USA) vs No. 32 Marketa Vondrousova (CZE) – 8:30 AM IST January 18 / 10:00 PM ET (January 17)
- Men’s Singles: Lucky Loser Alexander Blockx (BEL) vs Qualifier Jamie Faria (POR)
Key Players to Watch on Opening Day
Carlos Alcaraz faces local hope Adam Walton. He aims to claim a maiden Australian Open crown and complete the Career Grand Slam. Aryna Sabalenka opens against French wildcard Tiantsoa Rakotomanga Rajaonah. She looks to add another Melbourne title to her collection.
Venus Williams makes history against Olga Danilovic. She expressed her excitement about returning to Australia. "I’m excited to be back in Australia and looking forward to competing during the Australian summer," she said. "I’ve had so many incredible memories there."
Other standout players include Alexander Zverev, Emma Raducanu, Frances Tiafoe, and Maria Sakkari. They all feature in high-profile matches on day one.
Live Streaming Details for the Australian Open
In the United States, ESPN and ESPN2 broadcast the Australian Open nationally throughout the tournament. Live streaming coverage is available through ESPN Unlimited, ESPN+, and Fubo.
In India, matches air live on Sony Sports Network. This includes Sony Ten 1, 2, 3, 4, and HD channels. Live streaming is available on the SonyLIV app and website.
