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.

Updated on: 18 January 2026 7:05 pm

Jasmine Paolini of Italy celebrates after defeating Aliaksandra Sasnovich of Belarus in their first round match at the Australian Open tennis championship in Melbourne, Australia | Photo: AP/Dita Alangkara

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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