Monday is the second of three days of first round singles action.
No one has ever dominated the Australian Open like Novak Djokovic. Between 2008 and 2023, he won this tournament 10 times, going a perfect 20-0 in semifinals and finals. However, he has stalled in the semifinals in both of the last two years, and it’s now been nearly two-and-a-half years since the 38-year-old’s last Major title. Novak begins his 2026 Australian Open campaign on Monday, with questions surrounding his physical readiness.
Day 2 is also headlined by the opening round matches of two other multi-time Major champs: Iga Swiatek and Coco Gauff.
Here’s a rundown of the most notable matches on Day 2 (in chronological order, all times local):
Coco Gauff (3) vs. Kamilla Rakhimova – 11:30am on Rod Laver Arena
After winning her second singles Major in Paris last June, Gauff made early exits at both Wimbledon and the US Open. Her 2024 semifinal appearance is her best result in Melbourne, and Coco started the season by going 3-1 in the United Cup. This past September in Beijing, she defeated Rakhimova 6-4, 6-0.
Simona Waltert vs. Amanda Anisimova (4) – Second on Margaret Court Arena
Anisimova was the runner-up at the last two Slams, and also won her first two WTA 1000 titles during 2025. However, Amanda arrives at this Major having lost three of her last four matches. Waltert is a 25-year-old making only her third appearance in a Major main draw, and her first since 2023. She won 53 matches last season at all levels, though most of those wins took place on clay.
Yue Yuan vs. Iga Swiatek (2) – Not Before 7:00pm on Rod Laver Arena
Just like Carlos Alcaraz, the Australian Open remains the one Major which Swiatek is yet to conquer. A year ago, she was one point away from reaching her first final in Melbourne, before Madison Keys came back to win their semifinal. Iga began her 2026 with a 3-2 record in the United Cup, which featured losses to Gauff in the semifinals, and Belinda Bencic in the final. This past September in Beijing, Swiatek thumped Yue Yuan by a score of 6-0, 6-3.
Donna Vekic vs. Mirra Andreeva (6) – Not Before 7:00pm on Margaret Court Arena
Just like Anisimova, 2025 saw Andreeva achieve her first two WTA 1000 titles, both coming early in the year. Though at the Majors, Mirra failed to advance beyond the quarterfinals last year, which included an emotional meltdown against French wild card Lois Boisson at Roland Garros. Yet Andreeva is already 6-1 during 2026, and became the champion on Saturday in Adelaide without losing a set. Vekic enjoyed the best season of her career in 2024, but regressed significantly in 2025, with a record of only 14-23. This is yet another case where their only prior meeting took place in Beijing, as back in 2024, Andreeva came from a set down to beat Vekic 6-4 in the third.
Pedro Martinez vs. Novak Djokovic (4) – Last on Rod Laver Arena
Djokovic is playing for his 100th career Australian Open victory on Monday. This will be his first match in over two months, as he pulled out of a planned warm-up event in Adelaide, and cut a practice short earlier this week in Melbourne due to a neck issue. It seems Novak’s body is beginning to fail him, and prevent him from remaining competitive against Alcaraz or Sinner in the best-of-five format. Martinez is coming off a hard court Challenger title last week, though he didn’t have to face a top 200 player, and he was just 16-27 last season at tour level.
Monday’s full Order of Play is here.
