Sunday features first round singles action, which will be spread across the first three days of this extended fortnight.
Jannik Sinner is the two-time defending men’s singles champion in Melbourne, but Carlos Alcaraz is the top seed in the draw. Sinner and Alcaraz have combined to win the last eight Majors, and they have faced off in the last three Major finals. Will we see another rematch in this young yet historic rivalry two weeks from Sunday?
Madison Keys is the defending women’s singles champion, but Aryna Sabalenka is the top seed, and has reached the final of the last six hard court Majors. However, the women’s draw feels much more open than the men’s, as last year’s Slam titles went to four different women, including Roland Garros champ Coco Gauff and Wimbledon champ Iga Swiatek. Plus, Wimbledon and US Open runner-up Amanda Anisimova, and WTA Finals champ Elena Rybakina, are also significant title threats.
Sunday’s Order of Play is headlined by the top seeds, Alcaraz and Sabalenka, who will both play in the evening on Rod Laver Arena. Plus, last year’s runner-up, Sascha Zverev, faces a tough opening round draw in imposing Canadian Gabriel Diallo. And the legendary Venus Williams will play her first match at Melbourne Park since 2021.
Here’s a rundown of the most notable matches on Day 1 (in chronological order, all times local):
Alexander Zverev (3) vs. Gabriel Diallo – Second on Rod Laver Arena
Zverev has struggled at big events since going to 0-3 in Slam Finals a year ago at this tournament, and only claimed one title during 2025, which came at 250-level. Earlier this month in the United Cup, Sascha went just 1-1, with a straight-set loss to Hubert Hurkacz. Diallo was 29-14 last season at tour level, and possesses a powerful serve-and-forehand combo, though Zverev’s more well-rounded game should give the German the advantage across a best-of-five contest.
Aryna Sabalenka (1) vs. Tiantsoa Rakotomanga Rajaonah (WC) – Not Before 7:00pm on Rod Laver Arena
Sabalenka went 63-12 last year overall, and started 2026 by going 5-0 and winning the title in Brisbane, with straight-set victories over the likes of Madison Keys, Karolina Muchova, and Marta Kostyuk. Aryna has reached the final at four of the last five Majors. Rakotomanga Rajaonah is a 20-year-old French wild card making her Slam debut.
Alexander Bublik (10) vs. Jenson Brooksby – Not Before 7:00pm on Margaret Court Arena
It’s a bit startling to see the No.10 next to Bublik’s name, but he is the newest member of the top 10. The 2025 season saw Sascha win four ATP titles, and like Sabalenka, he began 2026 with a title run, in Hong Kong. Brooksby missed nearly all of 2023 and 2024 due to wrist surgery, as well as a suspension for missing drug tests. But Jenson quickly regained some traction on tour during 2025, highlighted by a title run in Houston. In their only prior encounter, four years ago in Canada, Brooksby prevailed 6-2, 6-3, though Bublik is now a vastly different player.
Olga Danilovic vs. Venus Williams (WC) – Last on John Cain Arena
This will be Venus’ 22nd Australian Open, with her first coming all the way back in 1998. 2021 was the last time she played in Melbourne, and she was suffering from multiple injuries, but refused to retire in her second round match against Sara Errani, as she hobbled around the court and lost 6-1, 6-0. Since making her return to tennis last summer, Venus has been much healthier, yet is a modest 1-5, which includes two losses in warm-up events this month. Danilovic advanced to the fourth round of this tournament a year ago, as she upset Jessica Pegula in the third round.
Carlos Alcaraz (1) vs. Adam Walton – Last on Rod Laver Arena
The Australian Open is the lone Major Alcaraz is yet to win, as quarterfinal appearances the last two years remain his best result. And his surprising off-season parting with Juan Carlos Ferrero will likely have a negative impact on his results, as Carlitos has often underperformed when Juan Carlos has been missing from tournaments in the past, and Alcaraz is yet to name a new coach. Walton is a 26-year-old Australian ranked 79th in the world who is just 3-8 lifetime at Majors, and as per Tennis Abstract, is just 2-13 against top 50 opposition.
Sunday’s full Order of Play is here.
