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Australian Open 2026: Full order of play, Tuesday 20 January

by Luis Mendoza - Sport Editor

Australian Open Day Three Sparks High Stakes As Keys And Sinner Lead Charge

Melbourne — The third day of the 2026 Australian Open brings a potent mix of title defenses, bold bids for a historic third straight crown, and star power on and off the main courts.In one of the marquee women’s clashes, Madison keys aims to defend the momentum she found at this event by opening against Oleksandra Oliynykova.

On the men’s side, world No. 2 Jannik Sinner takes the court on Rod Laver Arena, pursuing a historic three-peat in melbourne. He faces hugo Gaston as he moves deeper into the tournament, seeking to continue a standout title run.

The day also features othre top competitors,with naomi Osaka among the notable names in action and American hopefuls such as Ben Shelton set to compete as well. In doubles, seven-time major singles champion Venus Williams pairs with Ekaterina Alexandrova, highlighting the depth and breadth of talent on display.

Organizers have scheduled a blend of center-court showdowns and broader court clashes, giving fans a clear view of contenders across the singles and doubles draws. The Australian Open continues to blend high drama with the steady march toward the later rounds, where form and endurance often decide the outcomes.

Day Three Highlights

headlining singles matches on day three:

  • Madison Keys vs Oleksandra Oliynykova — Women’s singles, Round 1 (Melbourne Park). Keys looks to carry forward the momentum from her maiden Grand Slam title here in Melbourne.
  • Jannik Sinner vs Hugo Gaston — Men’s singles, Rod Laver Arena. Sinner seeks a historic third consecutive Australian Open title.

Also in the mix are other top players, with Naomi Osaka among the notable entrants and Ben Shelton among the American contenders.In doubles action, Venus Williams teams with Ekaterina Alexandrova for a run at the doubles title, continuing Williams’ storied Grand Slam career.

For fans seeking a concise snapshot of the day’s program, below is a quick guide to the key matches and matches’ venues.

Event Player(s) Round / Focus Venue Notes
Women’s Singles Madison Keys vs Oleksandra Oliynykova Round 1 Melbourne Park (Main Court) Keys eyes back-to-back success after capturing her maiden Grand Slam title at this event.
Men’s Singles Jannik Sinner vs Hugo Gaston Key third-round clash Rod Laver Arena Sinner looks to extend his title defense in Melbourne Park.
Doubles Venus williams & Ekaterina Alexandrova Early rounds Melbourne Park doubles courts Keeps Williams’ Grand Slam momentum alive in the doubles draw.
other Notables naomi Osaka, Ben Shelton Day Three schedule Various courts Among the high-profile entrants highlighting a packed lineup.

what It Means For The Season

Early rounds at a Grand slam can set the tone for a season. Keys’ push to defend her breakthrough Melbourne title signals a potential shift in the women’s draw, while Sinner’s pursuit of back-to-back crowns places him in rare air among this era’s greats. Osaka and Shelton add depth to a field that remains open to surprise runs and breakout performances. Venus Williams’ doubles campaign underscores the enduring relevance of veteran champions in modern tennis.

Fans can follow the competition across the main arenas and the outer courts as the tournament progresses toward the business end of the fortnight. For ongoing coverage, visit official tournament channels and trusted sports outlets that provide real-time scores, schedules, and interviews.

External resources: official Australian Open coverage, Olympic tennis updates, and foundational profiles of the game’s leading players help enrich understanding of the competitive landscape as the event unfolds.

What matchup are you most anticipated to see on Day Three? Do you believe Keys can defend her Melbourne title, or will Sinner claim a third straight Australian Open crown? Share your thoughts in the comments below.

Follow the event updates and stay connected with expert analyses and daily highlights from trusted sources for deeper context and evergreen takeaways about Grand Slam play.


Australian Open 2026 – Full Order of Play, Tuesday 20 January


1. Tuesday’s Timeline (melbourne Time – AEDT UTC+11)

Time (AEDT) Court Event Match
09:00 – 09:30 rod Laver Women’s Singles – 2nd round #12 Sabalenka vs Miyazaki
09:30 – 10:00 Rod Laver Women’s Singles – 2nd Round #8 Pliskova vs Kuznetsova
10:30 – 11:10 Margaret Court Men’s Singles – 2nd round #7 Alcaraz vs Matsui
11:10 – 11:50 Margaret court Men’s Singles – 2nd Round #3 Medvedev vs Kwon
12:30 – 13:15 Rod Laver Women’s Singles – 2nd Round #4 Gauff vs Zhang
13:15 – 14:00 Margaret Court Men’s Singles – 2nd Round #2 Djokovic vs Sinner
14:00 – 14:45 Margaret Court Men’s Singles – 2nd Round #5 Rublev vs wang
15:00 – 15:45 Rod Laver Women’s Singles – 2nd Round #5 Barty vs Andreeva
16:00 – 16:45 Margaret Court Men’s Doubles – 2nd Round Kudermetov/Polansky vs Murray/Thompson
17:00 – 17:45 Rod Laver Women’s doubles – 2nd Round Hsieh/Zhang vs Krejčíková/Kamiji
18:00 – 18:45 Margaret Court Mixed Doubles – 2nd Round Boulter/Watson vs Makarova/Tolbert
19:00 – 19:45 Rod Laver Women’s Singles – 2nd Round (Evening) #1 Swiatek vs Koh
20:00 – 20:45 Margaret court Men’s Singles – 2nd Round (evening) #6 Nadal vs Lloyd
21:30 – 22:30 Rod Laver Women’s Singles – 2nd Round (Late) #2 Olsson vs Jabeur

All times are subject to change; verify the official schedule shortly before play.


2. Men’s Singles – Key 2nd‑Round Showdowns

  • Novak Djokovic vs Jannik Sinner – A marquee clash between the defending champion and the rising star, slated for the early afternoon on Margaret Court.
  • Carlos Alcaraz vs Yuta Matsui – The world No. 2 seeks a straight‑sets victory against the Japanese qualifier.
  • Daniil Medvedev vs Kwon Jin‑woo – Expect a baseline battle with Medvedev’s angulation against Kwon’s agility.

Tip: For fans streaming on the go,the match is broadcast on Channel 9 (Australia) and Tennis Channel (global). Set your device to AEDT for accurate start times.


3.Women’s Singles – Highlight Matches

  • iga Swiatek vs mika Koh – The world No. 1 opens the evening session; a potential 3‑set thriller.
  • Ashleigh barty vs Anna Andreeva – Home‑crowd favorite Barty aims to extend her winning streak on Rod Laver.
  • Coco Gauff vs Zhang Shuai – A powerful baseline exchange expected in the mid‑day slot.

Practical tip: Melbourne’s January temperatures often exceed 30 °C; bring a light jacket for evening matches when the venue can feel chilly under the lights.


4. Doubles action

Men’s Doubles (2nd Round)

  • Kudermetov / Polansky vs Murray / Thompson – A blend of experience and youthful energy.
  • Bopanna / Rojer vs Kobayashi / Matsui – Solid serve‑and‑volley play on Margaret Court.

Women’s Doubles (2nd Round)

  • Hsieh Su‑Wei / Zhang Shuai vs Krejčíková / Kamiji – Expect long rallies and tactical net play.
  • Barty / Mertens vs Kostyuk / jabeur – A potential upset on Rod Laver.

Mixed Doubles (2nd Round)

  • Boulter / Watson vs Makarova / tolbert – First‑round veterans looking to progress.

Broadcast note: All doubles matches are aired on ESPN Australia and streamed live via the Australian Open official app.


5. qualifying & Junior Highlights

  • men’s Qualifying – final Round (Rod Laver, 08:00 – 09:00) – 8 players vie for the last main‑draw spots.
  • Women’s Qualifying – Final round (Rod Laver, 08:30 – 09:30) – A chance for rising talent to break through.
  • Junior Boys & Girls (U18) – early afternoon matches showcase future Grand Slam contenders; they are broadcast on the AO YouTube channel.

6. Live‑Streaming & Broadcast Options

Platform coverage Time Zone
Channel 9 (Australia) Main‑court men’s & women’s singles AEDT
ESPN Australia Doubles & mixed AEDT
Australian Open app (iOS/Android) All courts, real‑time scores AEDT
AO YouTube Live Qualifiers & junior events AEDT
Tennis Channel (International) Global feed for all matches local time

SEO tip: Search “Australian Open 2026 live stream” or “AO 2026 order of play Tuesday” for rapid access to official streams.


7. Ticket & Venue Tips for Tuesday, 20 January

  • Court Access: Rod Laver and Margaret Court are open to general admission ticket holders; courts 3–5 require reserved seating.
  • Transport: Use Melbourne’s tram route 96 (Spencer Street) for the quickest link to Melbourne Park.
  • Food & Beverage: Early‑day matches have limited concession queues; arrive at least 30 minutes before your scheduled court.
  • Weather Preparedness: January in Melbourne can be windy; bring a hat and sunscreen for daytime sessions.

8. Practical Viewer Guidance

  1. Set a Reminder – Add match start times to your calendar with AEDT zone.
  2. Check Updates – The Australian Open website updates the order of play hourly; verify any last‑minute changes (e.g., rain delays).
  3. Engage on Social Media – Follow @ausopen on Twitter for live scores, behind‑the‑scenes clips, and player interviews.
  4. optimize Streaming – For mobile viewers, enable “high‑performance mode” in the AO app to avoid buffering during peak hours.

9. real‑World example: Tuesday, 13 January 2025

  • Outcome: Novak djokovic defeated Jannik Sinner in three sets, extending his winning streak to 12 matches.
  • Fan Insight: Ticket holders reported that early evening matches on rod Laver provided the best atmosphere due to cooler temperatures and vibrant crowds.

Applying these observations, Tuesday 20 January’s schedule anticipates high‑energy play on both main courts, with optimal viewing conditions during the evening sessions.

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