Australian Open 2026

[jimlosaltos]

First round of the AO starts Jan 17th, Aussie time. First round matches of interest include Venus Williams! No, this isn't an ancient thread popped to the top, the great one is backs Danilovic.

Also Bublik, off a title, vs Jenson Brooksby. Two different styles, manners indeed.

Here is the match schedule link. The Draws are here. Scores here.

Top seeded Alcaraz doesn't have much to play for, just that if he wins he'll become the youngest ever to hold a career slam. Here's his matches on seed. Others follow.

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[jimlosaltos]

Can Jannik Sinner defend his title?

History says yes: Sinner with two titles (2024, 2025), a 22-4 win-loss record, and holds the distinction of snapping Novak Djokovic's 33-match winning streak at the event in 2024, becoming only the second man in the Open Era to win the final after being two sets down.

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[jimlosaltos]

Seeds 3 and 4 would both have to, on draw/ beat both Sinner and Alcaraz to win. That's only happened once in nearly two years when both are entered.

1 of 2

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[jimlosaltos]

Zverev has the toughest draw of the four. Can he stay away from his usual 5 set early round matches to have enough left for the R4 and on?

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[jimlosaltos]

Punter's lines ( an homage to stroke ):
Links live to ESPN bios.

Note: Odds by DraftKings Sportsbook and subject to change. Australian Open Odds

(1) Aryna Sabalenka	+185	+110	-230	(2) Jannik Sinner	-120	-280	-700
(2) Iga Swiatek	+550	+250	+140	(1) Carlos Alcaraz	+175	-230	-500
(4) Amanda Anisimova	+750	+300	+125	(4) Novak Djokovic	16-1	+700	+140
(5) Elena Rybakina	+800	+300	+200	(11) Daniil Medvedev	25-1	+400	+200
(3) Coco Gauff	10-1	+400	+180	(3) Alexander Zverev	35-1	+800	+220
(8) Mirra Andreeva	16-1	+800	+240	(9) Taylor Fritz	60-1	15-1	+350
(16) Naomi Osaka	25-1	12-1	+700	(6) Alex De Minaur	65-1	14-1	+900
(9) Madison Keys	30-1	+700	+350	(8) Ben Shelton	70-1	17-1	+900
Marta Kostyuk	35-1	11-1	+650	(7) Felix Auger-Aliassime	80-1	18-1	+600
Victoria Mboko	35-1	18-1	+550	(5) Lorenzo Musetti	100-1	20-1	+650
(6) Jessica Pegula	40-1	16-1	+400	(10) Alexander Bublik	100-1	25-1	10-1

[jimlosaltos]

Day 5 of the Australian Open main draw was like a speed chess tournament -- buzzed through 14 of 17 matches in straight sets.

Only true drama, unless one is into salty handshakes where Cirstea's diss of Osaka stood out, was Stan Wawrinka. But the 40 year old dude on his final swing might have made up for the rest with his 5 set, come from behind win over qualifier Arthur Get of France: 4-6 6-3 3-6 7-5 7-6 [10-3]

Yes, the 40 year old had enough legs left to win a 10 point tiebreak at the end of the fifth set.
“Maybe I’m going to pick up a beer, I deserve one.”

"Roaring in delight after triumphing in front of Kia Arena’s electrified crowd in a marathon four hours and 33 minutes, the AO 2014 champion extended his own record of having competed in 50 five-set matches at Grand Slam level and tied Ivan Lendl with a staggering 58 five-set matches at ATP Tour-level, the most in the Open Era.

Competing in his 20th AO, the former world No.3 struck 63 winners, 13 of which were his recognisable, breathtaking backhand groundstrokes, en route to securing a coveted berth in the round of 32 at Melbourne Park for the first time since 2020."


AO Article:

https://ausopen.com/articles/news/marathon-stan-snaps-48-year-drought-ao-2026

Highlights 3:11 min YT

[stotty]

I haven’t tuned in to the Aussie Open far but will be doing so starting tomorrow. It makes sense as the first couple of rounds were always going to be predictable and purchasing a short term subscription to watch the event seems the watch to go. Anyway, it really has been awfully predictable so far with no real surprises. It’s a pity Fonseca bit the dust so early but at least Mensik is holding the fort for the youngsters. If all comes to pass, Mensik will have a shot at Novak, which might be slightly interesting. Novak has been very efficient so far which is critical if he is to have any chance of going deep in the tournament.

It’s a tragedy not having stroke around to give us his predicted 'match of the day’ and the lowdown on player form. He was taken away from us so unexpectedly and out of the blue.