Australian Open 2026, Day 1: Aryna Sabalenka, Carlos Alcaraz Advance Amid Record Attendance
Aryna Sabalenka and Carlos Alcaraz crossed their respective opening hurdles on Day 1 of the Australian Open, the No. 1 seeds advancing in straight sets in a Sunday (January 18, 2026) session that started with tennis royalty Rod Laver and Roger Federer in the crowd. Rod Laver Arena was heaving for their first-round matches, capping a day when a record total of 100,763 fans packed into Melbourne Park. The 45-year-old Venus Williams set a record, too, becoming the oldest player ever in the women's singles draw at the Australian Open.
Jasmine Paolini, left, of Italy is congratulated by Aliaksandra Sasnovich of Belarus following their first round match at the Australian Open tennis championship in Melbourne, Australia. | Photo: AP/Dita Alangkara
Jasmine Paolini of Italy plays a backhand return to Aliaksandra Sasnovich of Belarus during their first round match at the Australian Open tennis championship in Melbourne, Australia. | Photo: AP/Dita Alangkara
Aliaksandra Sasnovich of Belarus plays a backhand return to Jasmine Paolini of Italy during their first round match at the Australian Open tennis championship in Melbourne, Australia. | Photo: AP/Dita Alangkara
Alexander Zverev of Germany waves after defeating Gabriel Diallo of Canada in their first round match at the Australian Open tennis championship in Melbourne, Australia. | Photo: AP/Dita Alangkara
Alexander Zverev, right, of Germany is congratulated by Gabriel Diallo of Canada following their first round match at the Australian Open tennis championship in Melbourne, Australia. | Photo: AP/Dita Alangkara
Gabriel Diallo of Canada plays a backhand return to Alexander Zverev of Germany during their first round match at the Australian Open tennis championship in Melbourne, Australia. | Photo: AP/Dita Alangkara
Alexander Zverev of Germany plays a forehand return to Gabriel Diallo of Canada during their first round match at the Australian Open tennis championship in Melbourne, Australia. | Photo: AP/Dita Alangkara
Gabriel Diallo of Canada plays a forehand return to Alexander Zverev of Germany during their first round match at the Australian Open tennis championship in Melbourne, Australia. | Photo: AP/Dita Alangkara
Aryna Sabalenka of Belarus reacts after defeating Tiantsoa Rakotomanga Rajaonah of France in their first round match at the Australian Open tennis championship in Melbourne, Australia. | Photo: AP/Dita Alangkara
Aryna Sabalenka of Belarus takes a selfie with Rod Laver, second right, and Roger Federer, right, after defeating Tiantsoa Rakotomanga Rajaonah of France in their first round match at the Australian Open tennis championship in Melbourne, Australia. | Photo: AP/Dita Alangkara
Aryna Sabalenka of Belarus serves to Tiantsoa Rakotomanga Rajaonah of France during their first round match at the Australian Open tennis championship in Melbourne, Australia. | Photo: AP/Dita Alangkara
Tiantsoa Rakotomanga Rajaonah of France plays a backhand return to Aryna Sabalenka of Belarus during their first round match at the Australian Open tennis championship in Melbourne, Australia. | Photo: AP/Dita Alangkara
Aryna Sabalenka of Belarus serves to Tiantsoa Rakotomanga Rajaonah of France during their first round match at the Australian Open tennis championship in Melbourne, Australia. | Photo: AP/Dita Alangkara
Carlos Alcaraz of Spain celebrates after defeating Adam Walton of Australia in their first round match at the Australian Open tennis championship in Melbourne, Australia. | Photo: AP/Dita Alangkara
Carlos Alcaraz of Spain is congratulated by Adam Walton of Australia following their first round match at the Australian Open tennis championship in Melbourne, Australia. | Photo: AP/Dita Alangkara
Carlos Alcaraz of Spain plays a forehand return to Adam Walton of Australia during their first round match at the Australian Open tennis championship in Melbourne, Australia. | Photo: AP/Dita Alangkara
Adam Walton of Australia plays a forehand return to Carlos Alcaraz of Spain during their first round match at the Australian Open tennis championship in Melbourne, Australia. | Photo: AP/Dita Alangkara
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