THE Australian Open the third round begins as Novak Djokovic, Carlos Alcaraz And Aryna Sabalenka Meet at Rod Laver Arena.
Djokovic will have a tricky match against exciting Czech player Tomas Machac, who beat the 24-time Grand Slam champion when they last met in Geneva last year.
It’s also a big day for the remaining British players, with Jack Draper hoping to reach the fourth round of the Australian Open for the first time and set up a clash with Alcaraz.
Draper plays Aleksandar Vukic, one of only two Australian players left in the singles draw, but Jacob Fearnley is out after a straight-set loss to Alexander Zverev.
Elsewhere, former US Open champion Coco Gauff and former US Open finalist Leylah Fernandez compete for a place in the round of 16, in a meeting between two of the game’s brightest young players.
Australian Open order of play and results – Friday January 17
Rod Laver Arena
Aryna Sabalenka (1) bt. Clara Tauson 7-6 (5), 6-4.
Carlos Alcaraz (3) bt. Nuno Borges against 6-2, 6-4, 6-7 (3), 6-2.
8:00 a.m. (GMT)
Novak Djokovic (7) against Tomas Machac (26)
Followed by:
Olga Danilovic vs. Jessica Pegula (7)
Margaret Court Arena
Donna Vekic (18 years old) bt. Diana Shnaider (12) 7-6 (4), 6-7 (3), 7-5.
Alexandre Zverev (2) bt. Jacob Fearnley 6-3, 6-4, 6-4.
8:00 a.m. (GMT)
Coco Gauff (3) against Leylah Fernandez (30)
Followed by:
Jack Draper (15) against Aleksandar Vukic
John Cain Arena
Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova (27 years old) bt. Laura Siegemund 6-1, 6-2.
Tommy Paul (12) bt. Roberto Carballes Baena 7-6 (0), 6-2, 6-0.
Belinda Bencic bt. Naomi Osaka 7-6 (3) retired.
Followed by:
Ugo Humbert (14) against Arthur Fils (20)
Kia Arena
Paula Badosa (11) bt. Marta Kostyuk (17 years old) 6-4, 4-6, 6-3.
Followed by:
Jakub Mensik vs. Alejandro Davidovich Fokina
Jiri Lehecka (24 years old) against Benjamin Bonzi
1573 Arena
Mirra Andreeva (14) bt. Magdalena Frech (23 years old) 6-2, 1-6, 6-2.
Followed by:
Destanee Aiava / Maddison Inglis vs. Marta Kostyuk / Elena-Gabriela Ruse
Australian Open Results – TThursday January 16
Rod Laver Arena
Iga Swiatek (POL) (2) bt. Rebecca Sramkova (SVK)
Alex De Minaur (AUS) (8) bt. Tristan Boyer (United States)
Jannik sinner (ITA) (1) bt. Tristan Schoolkate (AUS)
Jasmine Paolini (ITA) (4)) bt. Renata Zarazua (MEX)
Margaret Court Arena
Emma Navarro (United States) (8) bt. Xiyu Wang (CHN)
Taylor Fritz (United States) (4) bt. Cristian Garin (CHI)
Madison Keys (United States) (19) bt. Elena-Gabriela Ruse (ROU)
Learner Tien (USA) bt. Daniel Medvedev (5)
John Cain Arena
Miomir Kecmanovic (SRB) bt. Hubert Hurkacz (POL) (18)
Elena Rybakina (KAZ) (6) bt. Iva Jovic (United States)
Holger Rune (DEN) (13) bt. Matteo Berrettini (ITA)
KIA Arena
Emma Raducanu (GBR) bt. Amanda Anisimova (United States)
Ben Shelton (United States) (21) bt. Pablo Carreno Busta (ESP)
Fabian Marozsan (HUN) bt. Frances Tiafoe (United States) (17)
Danielle Collins (United States) (10) bt. Destanee Aiava (AUS)
1573 Arena
Daria Kasatkina (9) bt. Yafan Wang (CHN)
Gaël Monfils (FRA) bt. Daniel Altmaier (GER) vs.
Beatriz Haddad Maia (BRA) (15) bt. Erika Andreyeva
Lorenzo Sonego (ITA) bt. João Fonseca (BRA)
Courtyard 3
Ons Jabeur (TUN) bt. Camila Osorio (COL)
Lorenzo Musetti (ITA) (16) bt. Denis Shapovalov (CAN) vs.
Alex Michelsen (United States) bt. James McCabe (AUS)
Veronika Kudermetova bt. Katie Boulter (GBR) (22)
Where can I watch the Australian Open?
In the United Kingdom, the Australian Open will be broadcast live on Eurosport. Subscribers can also follow the action online on the Eurosport website or with the discovery+ application.
The tournament runs daily from midnight UK time on the outdoor courts and 1am on the exhibition courts, while night sessions will start at 8am.