Australian Open 2026—First Round Showdown

The exciting Australian Open 2026 season has plenty of surprises to enjoy now. Initially, all Australian Open 2026 categories started with brilliant work to qualify for the next round. Let us talk about Men’s Singles player Carlos Alcaraz, who secured a win against Adam Walton at the Rod Laver Arena. Following that, Alexander Bublik stunned everyone by winning against Jenson Brooksby in the Australian Open 2026. On January 18, 2026, Alexander Zverev dominated Gabriel Diallo in the first round of the Australian Open.

In the first-round performances, Alejandro Davidovich Fokina defeated Filip Misolic on January 19, 2026. Additionally, Jordan Thompson lost to Juan Manuel Cerundolo at the 2026 Australian Open. Alex de Minaur defeated Mackenzie McDonald at the Rod Laver Arena. Tommy Paul dominated Aleksandar Kovacevic, and check out further updates about the first round in the Australian Open.

Women’s Singles Past Foes

Similarly, Emma Raducanu defeated Mananchaya Sawangkaew at the Margaret Court Arena. For the first round, Olga Danilovic dominated Venus Williams in the Australian Open. World No. 1-ranked Aryna Sabalenka’s victory against Tiantsoa Sarah Rakotomanga Rajaonah. Additionally, Ekaterina Alexandrova defeated Zeynep Sonmez in the Australian Open. Elina Svitolina stunned and won over Cristina Bucsa for the first round at the John Cain Arena. Jasmine Paolini is unbeaten against Aliaksandra Sasnovich at the Rod Laver Arena in the first round.

Next, Amanda Anisimova defeated Simona Waltert at the Margaret Court Arena. Karolina Muchova dominated Jacqueline Cristian on January 19, 2026, for the first round. Also, Jessica Pegula defeated Anastasia Zakharova at the 2026 Australian Open. Coco Gauff is unbeaten against Kamilla Rakhimova and ensures essential matters in the tennis world are taken care of.  

Men’s Singles

Lorenzo Musetti vs Raphael Collignon

Lorenzo Musetti will clash with Raphael Collignon on January 20, 2026, at Melbourne Park. Explore more about all the games, as fans eagerly await the action.

ATP Standings

• Lorenzo Musetti—5th Rank
• Raphael Collignon—72nd Rank

Previous Game

Lorenzo Musetti had impressive performances in the 2025 season, pushing into the ATP Finals. Furthermore, he has started a new campaign with another exciting week in the final at Hong Kong. Musetti lost to Alexander Zverev at the Australian Open. In addition, Musetti increased his workload on his body, with efforts that clearly paid off. He also earned a debut at the ATP Finals late in the season with a top-five ranking on the ATP. In the clay-court events, Lorenzo Musetti lost to Carlos Alcaraz at the French Open. Another one, Lorenzo Musetti, dominated 3-1 over Frances Tiafoe in the French Open quarterfinals.  

Conversely, Raphael Collignon lost against Timofey Skatov last year. In the past year, he secured three consecutive wins in the clay experiences. Meanwhile, Raphael Collignon lost to Marin Cilic at Wimbledon (grass court)—another loss with Mattia Bellucci in the Wimbledon semi-finals. Raphael Collignon will enhance his presentations to improve his position in the ATP rankings. He built a formidable reputation as a dominant force at his regularly held events. His ability to dominate matches himself over most opponents—a lack of apparent breakthrough of the primary source to take the next step in his tennis career. Hence, Lorenzo Musetti will likely win their upcoming set.

Ben Shelton vs Ugo Humbert

At Melbourne Park, Ben Shelton will conflict with Ugo Humbert on January 20, 2026. They are meeting up for the first round in the Australian Open 2026.

ATP Standings

• Ben Shelton—7th Rank
• Ugo Humbert—33rd Rank

Previous Game

Ben Shelton has performed on all surfaces in the past year of his tennis career, which has been a moderate one. Further, Ben Shelton lost to Jaume Munar for the Basel tournament. After that, Shelton earned two consecutive wins with Flavio Cobolli and Andrey Rublev as opponents in the past year. This year, he started using different tactics to achieve a historic victory. For example, Ben Shelton dominated against Francisco Comesana on the hard-court surface. Following that, he was absent from the US Open due to his injury. He will give his best, even though worrying in a season where consistency is crucial for top-ten rankings.

Compared to Ugo Humbert, the majors have been struggling. He reached the second week just once in seven attempts in Melbourne, while he suffered in the first round. His recent form was four straight wins, with the same tactics still in place, followed by qualifier moves to secure a second-round berth. Additionally, Humbert lost to Tomas Machac on the hard-court surface. Ugo Humbert secured a 2-1 victory against Alejandro Davidovich Fokina in the most recent game. On the hard court, he has another win with Alexander Shevchenko for the ATP Singles. Based on their performances, Ben Shelton will secure success in their forthcoming match.

Hugo Gaston vs Jannik Sinner

On January 20, 2026, Hugo Gaston and Jannik Sinner will get together at Melbourne Park. Both players are playing in the first round of the 2026 Australian Open.

ATP Standings

• Hugo Gaston—93rd Rank
• Jannik Sinner—2nd Rank

Previous Game

In the Hugo Gaston loss with Norbert Gombos at the clay surface, and another loss with opponent Damir Dzumhur. In the past year, Hugo Gaston secured a 2-0 victory over Chun Hsin Tseng in clay-court matches. In fact, he had another loss, 1-2, to Radu Albot, and Gaston dominated his opponent, Sumit Nagal. In Wimbledon 2025, he lost against Jakub Mensik on the grass courts. Meanwhile, Hugo Gaston has three consecutive wins from Wimbledon’s Grand Slam grass court experiences. This year, Hugo Gaston lost to Cameron Norrie in the Auckland hard courts. After that, he stunned and beat Vit Kopriva 2-0 in the Auckland tournament.

Correspondingly, Jannik Sinner secured six consecutive wins in his recent performances. In the French Open, he defeated Carlos Alcaraz on the clay court. Jannik Sinner stunned Jiri Lehecka in the French Open (clay surface). Likewise, Sinner earned a moderate 1st-serve percentage and dominated in 1st-serve points won. He converted his break points, saved, and performed stably on the 1st and 2nd return points. Jannik Sinner secured seven straight wins at the Wimbledon tournament last year. In Halle, grass-court performances: Sinner lost 1-2 to Alexander Bublik and lost another loss to Daniil Medvedev at Wimbledon. As we conclude, Jannik Sinner will, without doubt, be in their upcoming match.

Women’s Singles

Oleksandra Oliynykova vs Madison Keys

For the first round in the Australian Open, Oleksandra Oliynykova will tussle with Madison Keys. They are joining up on January 20, 2026, at Melbourne Park.

WTA Standings

• Oleksandra Oliynykova—92nd Rank
• Madison Keys—9th Rank

Previous Game

Oleksandra Oliynykova lost to Polona Hercog in the Quito clay court performances. In the challenger women’s singles competition, she reached the final with Martina Colmegna. However, Oleksandra Oliynykova has won 7 consecutive matches over the past year. She lost 1-2 against Diane Parry in Wimbledon (grass courts). She earned low unforced errors and down-the-breakpoint approach break points. Oleksandra Oliynykova moderated the 1st and 2nd return points won. Afterwards, she scored stable service games won and base return games won at that game.

In her recent five games, Madison Keys has three wins and two losses. Followed by Keys losing against Victoria Mboko in Adelaide (hard court). Madison Keys scored more aces and performed an equal number of double faults with her opponent. Moreover, she had a lower 1st-serve percentage and fewer 1st-serve points won. In the Wimbledon competition, Madison Keys recorded more victories, winning 4 of her 6 matches. Based on their performances, Madison Keys will track the same tactics and moves to hold on to a triumph.

Elena Rybakina vs Kaja Juvan

Elena Rybakina will encounter Kaja Juvan on January 20, 2026, at Melbourne Park. Both players are playing in the first round of the 2026 Australian Open.

WTA Standings

• Elena Rybakina-5th Rank
• Kaja Juvan—100th Rank

Previous Game

Elena Rybakina lost to Karolina Muchova in the quarter-finals of the Brisbane tournament. In that game, she earned higher-level aces but was low in the 1st serve percentage. Her low scoring on 2nd-serve points won. Elena Rybakina secured an average in the break points saved compared to her opponent. In the past year, Elena Rybakina dominated Belinda Bencic 2-0 in the other matches. She then lost to Iga Swiatek in several matches during the past season.

Kaja Juvan lost to Caty McNally in the Hobart hard-court qualifying. She secured upper-level on double faults and was low in the 1st serve percentage in that game. Kaja Juvan scored very low in the 1st and 2nd serve points won in that set. After that, she beat Claire Liu 2-1 in the Jiujiang tournament during the 2025 season. Therefore, Elena Rybakina will slightly make an edge.

 Katie Boulter vs Belinda Bencic

In the Australian Open 2026 first round, Katie Boulter will confront Belinda Bencic. They are meeting up on January 20, 2026, at Melbourne Park.

WTA Standings

• Katie Boulter—113th Rank
• Belinda Bencic—10th Rank

Previous Game

Katie Boulter has earned only one win with four losses in her recent five matches in her tennis career. Elizabeth Mandlik defeated her in the Kooyong on a hard-court surface. In the Auckland tournament, Katie Boulter suffered another loss, 0-2, to Elina Svitolina. In fact, she won the same tournament with Yuliia Starodubtseva on January 6, 2026. She won another victory over Kimberly Birrell in the Tokyo qualification for the final competition.

Belinda Bencic secured a good experience with her recent winning streak. She earned five consecutive wins in her recent five matches in the tennis world. Belinda Bencic dominated Iga Swiatek at the United Cup playoffs on the hard court. In essence, she secured another victory over Elise Mertens in the United Cup. This year, her performances and hard work secured a winning streak, making history. Thus, Belinda Bencic will undoubtedly grab a victory in their upcoming set.