The draw for the Australian Open 2026 was held on Thursday afternoon at Melbourne Park, where Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner are clearly the two top seeds and big favorites for the titles. It’s not like the draw matters much to either player, as both are expected to reach the finals and go head-to-head for the title. That said, the odds seem to be slightly in Alcaraz’s favor in his latest bid for a first ever trophy Down Under.
As main-draw action begins on Sunday, it’s time to break down the 2026 men’s singles field.
This is Alcaraz’s place
If Alcaraz runs into any trouble before the semifinals, it could come in the form of Alexander Bublik in the last eight. However, Bublik has a bad road in the first week of the tournament. The world No. 10 will start the fortnight against Jenson Brooksby before running into Flavio Cobolli in the third round and either Alex de Minaur or Frances Tiafoe in the last 16. Speaking of De Minaur, the draw has not been kind to the Australian top seed. Before the third round date with Tiafoe, De Minaur has to face Matteo Berrettini in the first round.
A good matchup for the first round – (6) Alex de Minaur vs. Matteo Berrettini
Injuries have put a significant dent in Berrettini’s career, dropping him to a current position of number 56. Still, he will never retire. The 29-year-old Italian has reached the Wimbledon final and the US Open semi-final. He also leads the head-to-head series against De Minaur 3-2 at the ATP level.
The best possible matchup for the second round – (14) Alejandro Davidovich Fokina vs. Reilly Opelka
A very good match for the third round – (10) Alexander Bublik vs. (20) Flavio Cobolli
Wonders can happen – It’s hard to see anyone other than Alcaraz – or Bublik if he’s really hot – coming out of this quarter. However, the rest of the seeding is not very promising – so there is a chance that unseeded floaters will make the second week. Among those to watch are Brooksby (if he upsets Bublik in the first round), Aleksandar Vukic, and whoever wins the first round between Reilly Opelka and Nicolai Budkov Kjaer.
This is Zverev’s place
Everyone wants to be in Zverev’s category (Novak Djokovic’s category was second choice). This is the most up for grabs in the semifinals, and there are plenty of real contenders for it following Thursday’s show. Chief among them is three-time Aussie Open runner-up Daniil Medvedev, who couldn’t have asked for a better way into the bracket. Felix Auger-Aliassime, Andrey Rublev, 2025 AO star Learner Tien, and former Wimbledon semifinalist Cameron Norrie are also in the mix.
A good matchup for the first round – (3) Alexander Zverev vs. Gabriel Diallo
This team leaves a lot to be desired compared to the others (especially in the first round), but Zverev should be put on alert immediately. Diallo brings a big game to the table – one that put him on the edge of the top 40 and took him to the third round of the 2024 US Open as a qualifier (he lost to Tommy Paul in a fourth-round tiebreaker).
The best possible matchup for the second round – (13) Andrey Rublev vs. Arthur Cazaux
A very good match for the third round – (7) Felix Auger-Aliassime vs. (25) Student Tien
Wonders can happen – Have we reached the point where Medvedev making the semi of a major is a surprise? Maybe not. well…definitely not based on where he is in the drawing. Still, it will be a much-needed result for the Russian, 29, after winning one match in all four Grand Slams last season. If you want to go deeper into the pool, consider backing Tien or Rublev to finally get over the slam quarterfinal hump – especially if Zverev gets beaten early (by Diallo, for example).
Djokovic’s quarter
This section is full of question marks, almost anything else it is possible. Djokovic’s status is uncertain and following his recent withdrawal in Adelaide, Lorenzo Musetti pulled out of the Kooyong Classic with hip pain, Taylor Fritz is dealing with tendonitis, and Jiri Lehecka retired in the second round of Brisbane with an ankle injury. Grigor Dimitrov, Tomas Machac, Hubert Hurkacz, Stan Wawrinka, and 2025 quarterfinalist Lorenzo Sonego are among the underdogs looking to take advantage of the big opportunity.
A good matchup for the first round – Grigor Dimitrov vs. Tomas Machac
If you’re healthy, both of these guys have top 10 stuff. Dimitrov probably would have been had he not been injured last summer at Wimbledon (while leading Sinner two sets to love, actually!). Machac won their only previous meeting in a tight-setter (Vienna 2024) and another thriller should be on the cards.
The best possible matchup for the second round – (23) Tallon Griekspoor vs. Hubert Hurkacz
A very good match for the third round – (5) Lorenzo Musetti vs. (31) Stefanos Tsitsipas
Wonders can happen – Things can get very complicated in this bracket section. You have to figure a few undrafted players will be in the third round, a couple in the fourth round, and maybe one in the quarters or semis. Hurkacz looked like his old self when he led Poland to the United Cup title, so he will likely end up as Djokovic’s opponent in the fourth round. Whoever wins the Dimitrov-Machac fight can also go far.
A quarter of the zone
Tennis fans are already getting their popcorn ready for the third round meeting between Sinner and Joao Fonseca. Will it be competitive? Probably not. But in the end it will be a bunch of articles. Fonseca, however, will not be looking to get past a first round match with Eliot Spizzirri. They faced off in the final round of qualifying for the 2024 US Open, with Spizzirri winning a thrilling three-setter. Ben Shelton is expected to be Sinner’s quarterfinal opponent, but the eighth-ranked American should face Ugo Humbert in the first round and possibly Gael Monfils soon after.
A good matchup for the first round — (8) Ben Shelton vs. Ugo Humbert
At number 36 in the world, Humbert is one of the top unranked guys in the industry. He is the former world No. 13, again. The good news about Shelton is that he has a good record against his left-handed counterparts and is almost always successful in Grand Slams. He just loves the big stage.
The best possible matchup for the second round – (12) Casper Ruud vs. Jaume Munar
A very good match for the third round – (2) Jannik Sinner vs. (28) Joao Fonseca
Wonders can happen – The sinner will probably call this stage, but there are three very dangerous players who can make a lot of noise. They’re all in different parts of the quarter and they’re all away from Sinner, so there are possibilities for week two. If Humbert upsets Shelton, he could reach the quarterfinals. Marin Cilic – a former Grand Slam champion – and Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard would be nightmares to play against. Both struggled in the first few rounds.
Check the Australian Open draw on the tournament website
