Australian Open 2026 live: Alex de Minaur starts campaign on Rod Laver Arena after Coco Gauff

After coming back from a torn Achilles tendon, Storm Hunter made it through qualifying without dropping a set.

Now she has an almighty task on her hands though, taking on Spanish world number 40 Jessica Bouzas Maneiro, who's ranked a cool 327 places higher than her.

They're on Kia Arena.

Hunter will be looking to emulate her career-best AO run from 2024, when she made it to the third round.

Morning all. Could we have have an update on access issues yesterday please ? Going on Thursday and hoping they’ve improved the situation.

- Phillip

Hi Phillip,

Yes, there were a few issues with very long wait times to get into Melbourne Park and also to get into matches and for vendors within the grounds on day one.

Tennis Australia chief executive Craig Tiley told Channel Nine this morning that even organisers were surprised by yesterday's turn-out, with ground passes selling out.

"There was more people coming on the grounds than even we expected … and a lot of people showing up at the same time. And that's indicative of the of the interest of the event."

Tiley urged fans to book online ahead of time and download their passes, rather than trying to get a day pass at the box office. And then, when you get in the line, laptops out of bags, belts off, sort of thing to not hold up the line.

"We will certainly put extra resources on early so we ensure that the fans have a seamless entry into the grounds."

We're still in the early stages of this grand slam, so the slate is pretty full, with grand slam champions as far as the eye can see.

Names don't get much bigger than 24-time major winner Novak Djokovic, but the fourth seed's not taking the court until the last match of the night session, when he'll face off against Spain's Pedro Martinez.

Coco Gauff and Daniil Medvedev are up first at 11:30am AEDT on Rod Laver and Margaret Court Arena respectively. 2025 Wimbledon and US Open finalist Amanda Anisimova follows Medvedev, the fourth fourth seed facing Switzerland's Simona Waltert on MCA.

2020 Australian Open champion Sofia Kenin is among the first starters today, clashing with fellow American Peyton Stearns from 11am on ANZ Arena.

And speaking of former Melbourne Park winners, 2014 champ and 2026 wildcard Stan Wawrinka takes the court for potentially the final time in Australia before his retirement. He's third on Kia Arena, up against Serbia's Laslo Djere.

They're followed by two-time major winner Barbora Krejcikova, who takes on 23rd seed Diana Shnaider.

Menawhile, on court eight, another surprise grand slam champ from 2014, Marin Cilic, opens his account against Daniel Altmeier.

Australia's number one is on Rod Laver Arena from 1:30pm AEDT.

If you haven't been paying attention since the draw on Thursday, I don't want you to be surprised, so just letting you know de Minaur won't be up against former Wimbledon finalist Matteo Berrettini.

The Italian world number 57 withdrew from their match the day before the tournament started with yet another injury and has been replaced by American lucky loser Mackenzie McDonald.

Sixth-seeded de Minaur and 113th-ranked McDonald are second on Rod Laver (not before 1:30pm) after Coco Gauff and Kamilla Rakhimova's match.

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