The world’s top tennis players are down under as the Australian Open is up and running. Some U.S. players have got an early start and others will take the court later today.

Jaimi Joy

Australian Open

Australian Open Round 1: Which American players play today, Sunday Jan. 18? Paul, Nakashima, Gauff, Pegula…

Joseph McMahon

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Born in Chicago, Joe played varsity football and baseball in Bowling Green, Ohio for BGHS and later played lacrosse at BGSU. A year abroad in Spain changed everything. As destiny would have it he ended up living in Zaragoza, running his own business, teaching Journalism at a private university then working as a SEO journalist for Diario AS.

Update: Jan 18th, 2026 08:44 EST

Venus Williams, U.S. tennis legend, lost a tough first round match to Olga Danilovic from Serbia 7-6, 3-6, 4-6. Williams, 45, beat Danilovic in a tie break in the first set and played some solid tennis despite losing the second and third set. It was some impressive tennis played by both players as fans supported Williams, who made history in Melbourne on Sunday.

Venus Williams made history tonight as the oldest woman to play in the Australian Open singles main draw

Look at that smile on her face

She’s given everything to this sport

At 45 years old, it’s great to see that this sport still gives her this joy… win or lose

Legend in… pic.twitter.com/9LTwsYRZLz
— The Tennis Letter (@TheTennisLetter) January 18, 2026

Women’s singles

No. 1 seed Aryna Sabalenka won in straight sets 6-4, 6-1 to get her Australian Open off to a strong start. Later today in the women’s singles several U.S. player will play their first matches on Day 2 in Australia, but still Sunday in the U.S.:

Sabalenka taking a pic with Roger Federer and Rod Laver after her win at the Australian Open

Hard to get a more iconic selfie than that. pic.twitter.com/SkE17ueMfa
— The Tennis Letter (@TheTennisLetter) January 18, 2026

7 p.m. ET

Elizabeth Mandlik (U.S.) faces Anna Bondár (Hungary)
McCartney Kessler (U.S.) faces Emiliana Arango (Colombia)
Sofia Kenin (U.S.) faces Peyton Stearns (U.S.)
A. Li (U.S.) faces Camilia Osorio (Colombia)

7:30 p.m. ET

Coco Gauff (U.S.) faces Kamila Rakhimova (Russia-Uzbekistan)

8:10 p.m. ET

Jessica Pegula (U.S.) faces Anastasia Zakharova (Russia)
Alycia Parks (U.S.) faces Alexandra Eala (Phillipines)

8:40 p.m. ET

Amanda Anisimova (U.S.) faces Simona Waltert

10:30 p.m. ET

Iva Jovic (U.S.) faces Katie Volynets (U.S.)

Men’s singles

World No. 1 Carlos Alcaraz got off to a strong start in his first match in Melbourne. The Spanish superstar beat Australian Adam Walton in straight sets: 6-3, 7-6, and 6-2. Alcaraz had a shaky second set that almost got away from him and had some wondering about his new coaching situation.

DAY ONE! 🇦🇺☀️🦘🎾❤️

📸 Getty pic.twitter.com/2p06TvCOZl
— Carlos Alcaraz (@carlosalcaraz) January 18, 2026

American Jenson Brooksby lost to Alexander Bublik (Russian-Kazakhstani) 5-4, 6-4, 6-4. Another American, Zachary Svajda, lost to Yannic Hanfmann (Germany) in four sets: 7-5, 4-6, 6-4 and 7-6. In another U.S. - Australian battle, Frances Tiafoe came out on top against Jason Kubler 7-6, 6-3, 6-2.

Foe on the Go

If you read @BenRothenberg's piece on Frances Tiafoe in Bounces, you'll know the American has come to Melbourne on a mission to reset his career.

After the 1st round, he's off to a positive start.

The #29 seed gets by Jason Kubler, 7-6⁴, 6-3, 6-2. pic.twitter.com/N6zdldDeAP
— Tick Tock Tennis (@TickTockTennis) January 18, 2026

8:10 p.m.

Learner Tien (U.S.) faces Marcos Giron (U.S.)
Tommy Paul (U.S.) faces Aleksander Kovavic (U.S.)
Reilly Opelka (U.S.) faces Nicolai Budkov Kjaer (Norway)

9:20 p.m.

Brandon Nakashima (U.S.) faces Botic van de Zandschulp (Netherlands)

9:30 p.m.

Mackenzie McDonald (U.S.) faces Alex de Minaur (Australia)

10:30 p.m.

Martin Damm Jr. (U.S.) faces Valenting Vacherot (Monaco)