Australian Open 2026: Sabalenka, Alcaraz and Raducanu in action on day one – live

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Sabalenka, the two-time defending champion, is ready to come out on to court. She is, of course, the favourite to complete her hat-trick, but we might just be getting to a point in women’s tennis where we’ve got several serious contenders for each major: Sabalenka, of course, but also Iga Swiatek, Coco Gauff, Amanda Anisimova and perhaps Naomi Osaka and Elena Rybakina. Afrer years of all sorts taking slams, it’s now terrifyingly intense at the top.

On 1573 Arena, Norrie has taken the first set off Benjamin Bonzi 6-0 and just struggled to a hold for 1-1 in the second; on Cain, Francis Tiafoe, seeded 29, leads Jason' Kubler, the Australian qualifier, 7-6 5-3; on Kia, Seb Korda and Michael Zheng are playing a deciding set; and on Laver and Court respectively, we’ll soon have Sabalenka v Tiantso Rakotomanga Rajaonah and Bublik, now up to 10, against Jenson Brooksby.

Mini Eggs, though. Absolute art.

Preamble

Strewth, stone the crows, g’day and welcome to the Australian Open 2026 – day one!

January gets a bad rep and with good reason, but when we really think about it, can we really complain about Masters snooker, Mini Eggs, and the first grand slam of the year? Exactly.

Already today, Arthur Fery has beaten the no 20 seed Flavio Coboli, Cameron Nofrrie is on court now, likewise Francis Tiafoe, and to come, we’ve Sasha Bublik, Aryna Sabalenka, Emma Raducanu, Carlos Alcaraz … and Venus Expletive Williams! It may be dark outside, but inside, we’ve the brightest sunshine; here we go.