Australian Open Day 1, Live Photo: See The Best Photos From Melbourne

Play has begun on the show courts at the Australian Open — the first Grand Slam of the season — with No. 7 seed Jasmine Paolini facing Aliaksandra Sasnovich at the Rod Laver Arena. On the men’s side at Melbourne Park later Sunday, No. 3 seed Alexander Zverev faces Gabriel Diallo. The No. 1 seeds for men and women headline Sunday’s night session at the Rod Laver Arena. Aryna Sabalenka faces Tiantsoa Rakotomanga Rajaonah, and Carlos Alcaraz goes against Adam Walton. Sabalenka is after her third Australia Open title and was the runner-up to Madison Keys a year ago. She has reached the last three finals and won two.

Updated on: 18 January 2026 4:13 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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