The opening day of the main draw for the 2026 Australian Open has concluded, and it certainly delivered excitement. Some dedicated fans stayed up through the night, navigating a maze of paywalls to catch the matches live, while others are now catching up on the highlights this morning.
As expected, there were some surprising results and a wealth of thrilling moments on the courts in Melbourne. Here are the five standout highlights from Day 1 of the 2026 Australian Open that you won't want to miss.
Olga Danilovic Triumphs Over Venus Williams
In a remarkable display of skill and resilience, Olga Danilovic managed to defeat the legendary Venus Williams, moving forward to the second round. The match was a nail-biter, with scores ending at 6-7(5), 6-3, and 6-4 in Danilovic's favor. At just 45 years old, Williams showcased an impressive level of play, making her nearly victorious against the WTA World No. 69. After trailing 0-4 in the deciding set, Danilovic demonstrated incredible determination by winning six consecutive games, ultimately securing her spot in the next round. Williams proved once again why she deserves every wild card entry this season, shining brightly in what turned out to be a fierce contest.
Marta Kostyuk Faces Injury and an Unexpected Defeat
What an extraordinary battle we witnessed! Elsa Jacquemot pulled off a stunning upset against the 20th seed and recent Brisbane finalist, Marta Kostyuk, with a final score of 6-7(4), 7-6(4), 7-6(10-7) after an incredible match lasting over three and a half hours. Kostyuk, who had served for the match in the second set, unfortunately suffered an ankle injury at a crucial moment, rolling it at 5-6 (30-0). Despite her efforts, she had to withdraw from her doubles match and will not continue in the tournament.
Qualifier Stuns World No. 11
A round of applause is in order for Zeynep Sönmez, who achieved an impressive victory over the 11th seed, Ekaterina Alexandrova, with a scoreline of 7-5, 4-6, 6-4. Initially trailing 1-3 in the final set, Sönmez made a pivotal save that shifted the momentum of the match in her favor, propelling her into the second round. Additionally, she displayed a commendable act of kindness when she rushed to assist a ball girl who had fainted due to heat exhaustion during the match, highlighting the spirit of sportsmanship.
Carlos Alcaraz Begins Journey With New Coach
In a surprising turn of events, Carlos Alcaraz decided to part ways with his long-time coach Juan Carlos Ferrero last December. This change came at a challenging time, as Alcaraz had no warm-up tournaments to prepare before entering a Grand Slam where he has previously faced difficulties. Nevertheless, the first match of the Samuel López era proved successful, with Alcaraz winning against Adam Walton in straight sets: 6-3, 7-6(2), 6-2.
Emma Raducanu Shares a Lighthearted Moment
"Rado apparently is my new nickname!" Emma Raducanu humorously quipped in front of fans. Despite a past unsettling incident involving a "fixated fan," Raducanu remains unfazed, engaging with supporters and sharing laughs. During an on-court interview following her straight-set win against Mananchaya Sawangkaew (6-4, 6-1), she invited a fan who coined her new nickname to attend all her matches, cheekily adding, "Just let my agent know you're here!"
The 2026 Australian Open will run until January 31 for the women’s draw and February 1 for the men’s. For all the latest updates and stylish news from the tennis courts, stay tuned to Sports Illustrated's Serve On SI.
