Alcaraz and Zverev Open Australian Open with High Stakes

Melbourne’s courts hum with the raw energy of a new season as the 2026 Australian Open ignites on Sunday. No. 1 seed Carlos Alcaraz steps into the night session on Rod Laver Arena, his quest for a career Grand Slam hanging on every baseline exchange against local hopeful Adam Walton. Alexander Zverev, still smarting from last year’s runner-up finish, opens earlier the same day, setting a tone where precision meets pressure from the opening ball.

Alcaraz navigates Walton‘s power surge

Alcaraz arrives with three majors under his belt, but the Australian Open remains the missing piece in his collection. Facing Australian Adam Walton, the Spaniard draws on a 1-0 ATP Head2Head lead, yet Walton’s booming serves could disrupt his rhythm on the Plexicushion’s quicker bounce this year. Alcaraz will likely unleash his inside-out forehand to redirect that power, building crosscourt rallies that force errors while the home crowd’s cheers test his focus.

The night session kicks off at 7 p.m. local time, pairing this clash with Aryna Sabalenka’s title defense against wildcard Tiantsoa Rakotomanga Rajanoah. Alcaraz’s heavy topspin suits the surface, but early adjustments in his 1–2 pattern from the serve will be crucial to blunt any Walton momentum. One lapse could echo his past semifinal exits here, turning the opener into a psychological battle as much as a tactical one.

Zverev seeks edge over Diallo’s serve

Alexander Zverev takes the Rod Laver Arena day session from 11:30 a.m., confronting Canadian Gabriel Diallo in a matchup that revives his hard-court ambitions. The third seed’s flat backhand slices down-the-line could vary the pace against Diallo’s big first serve, but neutralizing those aces demands sharp returns to keep points short. Zverev’s composure in extended rallies will define the day, especially with the weight of unfinished business from 2025 pressing down.

Diallo’s rising game adds intrigue, his aggressive inside-in forehands potentially pinning Zverev back if the German’s net approaches falter. The Australian Open‘s conditions favor Zverev’s precision, yet Diallo’s inexperience at majors might crack under sustained pressure. A clean win here propels Zverev toward a deeper run, signaling he’s ready to challenge Alcaraz’s dominance.

Undercard heats up with varied styles

Beyond the stars, Day 1 pulses with contrasts on outer arenas. Alexander Bublik meets American Jenson Brooksby in Margaret Court Arena’s night session from 7 p.m., where Bublik’s underspin drop shots clash with Brooksby’s deep returns, likely sparking a serve-heavy affair on the faster courts. Flavio Cobolli faces qualifier Arthur Fery at John Cain Arena from 11 a.m., the Italian’s steady baseline play tested by Fery’s lefty spin variations.

Frances Tiafoe takes on qualifier Jason Kubler not before 5 p.m. on John Cain, pitting the American’s explosive one–two combinations against Kubler’s resilient groundstrokes amid home support. Francisco Cerundolo battles Zhang Zhizhen in Margaret Court’s day session from 11:30 a.m., Cerundolo’s topspin loops exploiting the bounce better than Zhizhen’s flatter shots. These bouts, from Maria Sakkari versus Leolia Jeanjean to Elina Svitolina against Cristina Bucsa not before 1:30 p.m., weave a web of potential upsets, with wildcard Venus Williams closing against Olga Danilovic late.

Qualifier Aliaksandra Sasnovich opens against seventh seed Jasmine Paolini on Rod Laver’s day session, while tenth seed Emma Raducanu faces Mananchaya Sawangkaew on Margaret Court’s night. The full schedule, starting sessions at 11 a.m. local time, promises shifts in momentum as players adapt to the heat and pace. View the full Day 1 schedule here.

As the sun sets over Melbourne, these openers hint at the tournament’s deeper currents—Alcaraz’s poise under history’s gaze, Zverev’s drive for breakthrough, and the underdogs’ sparks that could ignite the draw.