Opinion: Five best first round matches at 2026 Australian Open

Sloane Stephens (Robbie Mendelson, Wikimedia Commons)

The 2026 Australian Open begins Sunday in Melbourne. Let’s take a look at the five best first round matches of the first major of the calendar year.

5) Grigor Dimitrov–BUL vs. Tomas Machac–CZE

This matchup contains a three-time grand slam semifinalist against the reigning mixed doubles Olympic gold medalist. Dimitrov reached the semifinals of Wimbledon in 2014, the Australian Open in 2017 and the United States Open in 2019. Machac won the gold medal in mixed doubles at the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris with Katerina Siniakova. Machac won their only prior meeting. That came in the second round of Vienna in 2024, 6-7, 6-4, 6-3.

4) (6) Alex de Minaur–AUS vs. Matteo Berrettini–ITA

Here we have Berrettini, the 2021 Wimbledon finalist, against de Minaur, the home nation’s best hope, who has been to six grand slam semifinals, but never a grand slam semifinal. Berrettini is 3-2 all-time in five meetings head-to-head.

3) (15) Emma Navarro–USA vs. Magda Linette–POL

Here we have a battle of grand slam semifinalists. Navarro reached the semifinal of the 2024 United States Open, and Linette reached the semifinal of the 2023 Australian Open. Navarro won their only prior matchup. That was in the second round of the 2024 National Bank Open in Toronto, 6-2, 6-4.

2) (8) Mirra Andreeva–RUS vs. Donna Vekic–CRO

This matchup also features two grand slam semifinalists. Andreeva made the semifinals of the 2024 French Open and Vekic made the semifinals of Wimbledon in 2024. Andreeva won the only prior meeting, 3-6, 6-4, 6-4 in the third round of the 2024 China Open.

1) Karlona Pliskova–CZE vs. Sloane Stephens–USA

This is a matchup between a grand slam champion and a grand slam finalist. Pliskova reached the final of the United States Open in 2016 and Wimbledon in 2021. Stephens won the United States Open in 2017. Stephens has won six of seven meetings head-to-head.