Australian Open 2026: Day 1 Brings Star Power, Home Favorites, and Opening Round Intrigue
The first day of the 2026 Australian Open is officially underway, and Melbourne Park is already buzzing with storylines. From top seeds hitting the court to local favorites looking to make a splash, Sunday’s schedule is stacked across every arena. Let’s break down what fans can expect as the opening round kicks off.
Rod Laver Arena: Heavy Hitters Take Center Stage
The action on Rod Laver Arena starts early and ends with a bang. First up, Jasmine Paolini, the No. 7 seed from Italy, faces qualifier Aliaksandra Sasnovich.
Paolini’s game has been trending upward, and she’ll be looking to make a statement early in the tournament. Sasnovich, meanwhile, is a seasoned competitor who won’t roll over easily.
Later in the evening, all eyes will be on World No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka as she begins her title hunt against French wildcard Tiantsoa Rakotomanga Rajaonah. Sabalenka’s power game is tailor-made for the hard courts in Melbourne, and she’ll want to start fast and avoid any early-round drama.
On the men’s side, third-seeded Alexander Zverev opens his campaign against Canada’s Gabriel Diallo. Zverev’s serve and baseline consistency make him a tough out, especially early in the tournament.
Then, in the nightcap, top seed Carlos Alcaraz takes on Aussie Adam Walton. Alcaraz’s blend of speed, touch, and raw shot-making has made him a fan favorite worldwide-but going up against a hometown player under the lights?
That’s a recipe for fireworks.
Margaret Court Arena: Sakkari, Raducanu, and Bublik Highlight the Slate
Maria Sakkari gets things rolling in the morning session against France’s Leolia Jeanjean. Sakkari’s fitness and intensity are always on display, and she’ll be aiming for a deep run after some up-and-down performances in recent Slams.
Later in the night, 2021 US Open champ Emma Raducanu, seeded 28th, faces Thailand’s Mananchaya Sawangkaew. Raducanu has been working her way back into form, and this matchup gives her a chance to find rhythm early.
On the men’s side, 18th seed Francisco Cerundolo takes on China’s Zhizen Zhang in what could be a sneaky-good match. And in the evening session, Kazakhstan’s Alexander Bublik-one of the tour’s most unpredictable talents-faces American Jenson Brooksby. Expect the unexpected in that one.
John Cain Arena: Svitolina, Venus, and Tiafoe Bring the Star Power
Elina Svitolina, the 12th seed, opens against Spain’s Cristina Bucsa. Svitolina’s comeback story continues to inspire, and she’s a threat to go deep when her movement and counterpunching are on point.
In the evening, it’s a marquee name with a wildcard next to it: Venus Williams. The American legend takes on Serbia’s Olga Danilovic. Venus may not be in her prime, but her presence alone electrifies the crowd-and she’s never one to back down from a battle.
Frances Tiafoe, seeded 29th, also takes the court against Aussie qualifier Jason Kubler. Tiafoe’s energy and shot-making flair make him one of the most entertaining players on tour, and he’ll need to be sharp against a local player with the crowd on his side.
KIA Arena: Local Hope Talia Gibson and All-American Showdown
Talia Gibson, one of Australia’s promising young talents, gets a big stage for her opener against Anna Blinkova. As a wildcard, Gibson has nothing to lose and everything to prove in front of a home crowd.
Later, Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova takes on qualifier Zhuoxuan Bai of China, while on the men’s side, Aussie Tristan Schoolkate faces 32nd seed Corentin Moutet, and Americans Michael Zheng and Sebastian Korda square off in a battle of rising stars.
1573 Arena and ANZ Arena: Seeds in Action
Ekaterina Alexandrova, the No. 11 seed, starts her tournament against Turkish qualifier Zeynap Sonmez. Alexandrova’s flat hitting can be lethal on a fast court, and she’ll be looking to avoid any early hiccups.
ANZ Arena features three women’s matches, including 26th seed Dayana Yastremska against Romania’s Elena Gabriela Ruse, and 20th seed Marta Kostyuk facing France’s Elsa Jacquemot. Later, Anastasia Potapova meets Suzan Lamens of the Netherlands.
On the men’s side, Tomas Martin Etcheverry takes on Miomir Kecmanovic, while Cameron Norrie, seeded 26th, faces Frenchman Benjamin Bonzi.
Outside Courts: Aussies, Qualifiers, and Hidden Gems
The outer courts are where you often find the hidden gems of Day 1. Court 6 features Yulia Putintseva against Beatriz Haddad Maia in what could be a grind-it-out affair. Court 13 sees Hailey Baptiste take on 32nd seed Marketa Vondrousova.
On the men’s side, Court 6 hosts Emilio Nava vs. wildcard Kyrian Jacquet, and Yannick Hanfmann vs. Zachary Svajda.
Court 7 has Patrick Kypson facing Francisco Comesana, while Court 8 features Liam Draxl against Damir Dzumhur. Over on Court 13, Arthur Cazaux meets Portuguese qualifier Jaime Faria.
Aussies in the Draw: Who to Watch
Australia is well represented this year, with a mix of established names and fresh faces across both singles draws.
Men’s Singles:
- Alex de Minaur (6)
- Alexei Popyrin (50)
- Adam Walton (77)
- James Duckworth (WC)
- Aleksandar Vukic (87)
- Tristan Schoolkate (97)
- Rinky Hijikata (WC)
- Jordan Thompson (WC)
- Chris O’Connell (WC)
- Dane Sweeny (Q)
- Jason Kubler (Q)
Women’s Singles:
- Maya Joint (32)
- Ajla Tomljanovic (76)
- Kimberly Birrell (107)
- Talia Gibson (WC)
- Priscilla Hon (WC)
- Emerson Jones (WC)
- Maddison Inglis (Q)
- Taylah Preston (WC)
- Storm Hunter (Q)
With a strong Aussie presence and plenty of international firepower, Day 1 of the Australian Open is setting the tone for what promises to be a thrilling tournament. From Grand Slam champions to hungry qualifiers, the journey to the title begins now-and anything can happen in Melbourne.