Australian Open 2026: Day 3 Schedule & Preview
Get ready for a blockbuster Tuesday at Melbourne Park! The 2026 Australian Open is heating up as we head into Day 3 (Tuesday, January 20). The first round of the singles draw reaches its dramatic conclusion, while the doubles action kicks off in style.
Day 3 marks the final chapter of the Round of 128 for singles, meaning the bottom halves of the men’s and women’s draws are in action. We also see the commencement of the men’s and women’s doubles events.
Below is your comprehensive guide to the day’s play, featuring star-studded matchups and key “popcorn” clashes.
Rod Laver Arena (RLA)
The center stage features a massive lineup, headlined by the defending men’s champion and a four-time major winner.
Day Session – Starts at 11:30 AM AEDT
- Women’s Singles: Madison Keys (USA) [9] vs. Oleksandra Oliynykova (UKR) The day on RLA opens with American powerhouse Madison Keys taking on Ukrainian qualifier Oleksandra Oliynykova. Keys, a former finalist here, loves the hard courts of Melbourne and will look to use her big serve and forehand to dictate play early. Oliynykova will need to weather the storm to cause an upset.
- Men’s Singles: Ben Shelton (USA) [8] vs. Ugo Humbert (FRA) Following Keys, the explosive American Ben Shelton takes on the stylish French lefty Ugo Humbert. Both men are left-handed (Shelton serves lefty), but their styles differ; Shelton is all about raw power and athleticism, while Humbert relies on flat, timing-based groundstrokes. Expect fireworks and a likely late-night finish.
Night Session – Starts at 7:00 PM AEDT
- Men’s Singles: Jannik Sinner (ITA) [2] vs. Hugo Gaston (FRA) The defending champion begins his campaign! Jannik Sinner, seeded 2nd, faces the tricky French left-hander Hugo Gaston. Sinner’s power and precision will be tested by Gaston’s unique variety—expect drop shots, lobs, and entertaining rallies. Sinner is the heavy favorite, but Gaston is a known showman who thrives on the big stage.
- Women’s Singles: Naomi Osaka (JPN) [16] vs. Antonia Ružić (CRO) This is arguably the match of the day, where two-time Australian Open champion Naomi Osaka returns to her favorite court. Osaka faces Croatian talent Antonia Ružić. Osaka’s ball-striking on these courts is legendary, but first rounds can always be tricky. Fans will be eager to see if the Japanese superstar can find her rhythm quickly.
Margaret Court Arena (MCA)
A packed schedule featuring top seeds and crowd favorites.
Day Session – Starts at 11:30 AM AEDT
- Men’s Singles: Lorenzo Musetti (ITA) [5] vs. Raphael Collignon (BEL) Italian stylist Lorenzo Musetti brings his beautiful one-handed backhand to MCA against Belgian Raphael Collignon. Musetti has been in great form, rising to the top 5 seeds, and will look to navigate this opener with his signature flair.
- Women’s Singles: Elena Rybakina (KAZ) [5] vs. Kaja Juvan (SLO) Former Wimbledon champion and 2023 AO finalist Elena Rybakina takes on Slovenia’s Kaja Juvan. Rybakina’s serve is one of the biggest weapons in the women’s game. Juvan is a crafty player who can disrupt rhythm, but she will have her hands full trying to neutralize Rybakina’s first-strike tennis.
Night Session – Starts at 7:00 PM AEDT
- Women’s Singles: Belinda Bencic (SUI) [10] vs. Katie Boulter (GBR) A fascinating contest between Olympic Gold Medalist Belinda Bencic and Britain’s Katie Boulter. Bencic takes the ball incredibly early, while Boulter has a big flat game that works well on hard courts. This could be a tight three-setter.
- Men’s Singles: Stefanos Tsitsipas (GRE) [31] vs. Shintaro Mochizuki (JPN) Stefanos Tsitsipas, a perennial contender in Melbourne thanks to the huge Greek support in the city, faces young Japanese hopeful Shintaro Mochizuki. Tsitsipas will look to dominate with his forehand, while Mochizuki will try to use his speed to counter.
John Cain Arena (JCA)
The “People’s Court” often hosts high-energy battles.
Day Session – Starts at 11:00 AM AEDT
- Men’s Singles Match #2: Karen Khachanov [15] vs. Alex Michelsen (USA) Powerful Russian Karen Khachanov faces a stern test against rising American teen Alex Michelsen. Michelsen has been climbing the rankings rapidly, and his solid baseline game could frustrate the seed. Khachanov’s experience and heavy hitting make him the favorite, but watch out for an upset alert here.
Night Session – From 5:00 PM AEDT
- Men’s Singles Match #3: Taylor Fritz (USA) [9] vs. Valentin Royer (FRA) American #1 Taylor Fritz begins his quest for a maiden Slam against Frenchman Valentin Royer. Fritz will rely on his massive serve-plus-forehand combo to dictate points.
Other Matches to Watch (Outer Courts)
Don’t miss these potential thrillers on the Kia Arena and 1573 Arena.
- Women’s Battle of the Veterans: Karolina Pliskova (CZE) vs. Sloane Stephens (USA). This is a first-round luxury—two former Grand Slam finalists (and Stephens a US Open champ) meeting immediately. Both have been world number ones or near it. It’s a must-watch clash of styles on Kia Arena.
- Men’s Shot-Making Spectacular: Grigor Dimitrov (BUL) vs. Tomas Machac (CZE). Dimitrov’s elegance meets Machac’s explosive athleticism. This could easily be the most aesthetically pleasing match of the day.
- Doubles Action: The doubles draw also begins today. Keep an eye out for the German pair Kevin Krawietz & Tim Puetz [5], who are scheduled to play on the outer courts.
Tournament Information & Fun Facts
Dates & Schedule The 2026 Australian Open runs from January 12 to February 1. The tournament has expanded to a 15-day main draw (starting on a Sunday), giving fans even more world-class tennis.
The Venue: Melbourne Park The “Happy Slam” is hosted at Melbourne Park, famous for its blue hard courts.
- Rod Laver Arena: The crown jewel, seating approx. 15,000 fans.
- John Cain Arena: Accessible to ground pass holders, known for its rowdy and electric atmosphere.
- Weather: Melbourne weather is notoriously fickle. All three main stadiums (RLA, MCA, JCA) have retractable roofs, ensuring play continues even if there is rain or extreme heat.
Record Prize Money The players aren’t just playing for the trophy; the 2026 tournament features a record prize money pool of $111.5 million AUD! The singles champions will each take home a staggering $4.15 million AUD.
Full schedule: https://ausopen.com/schedule#!43227
