World No. 1 Carlos Alcaraz has advanced to the second round of the 2026 Australian Open, setting up a key clash as he continues his pursuit of a first title at Melbourne Park and aims to complete a career Grand Slam — a feat no player his age has achieved before. After a commanding opening-round win, the Spanish star now turns his focus to second-round action, where all eyes will be on his next test.
Here’s the latest on who Alcaraz is facing, plus everything you need to plan your viewing — from match date and venue to live broadcast and streaming details.
Alcaraz Advances and Next Opponent Confirmed
Alcaraz opened his Australian Open 2026 campaign with a straight-sets victory over Adam Walton, winning 6-3, 7-6(2), 6-2 in the first round at Rod Laver Arena in Melbourne. That win marked a strong start to his title bid, a tournament at which he has yet to go beyond the quarterfinals despite his dominance at other majors.
The victory sets Alcaraz up for a second-round matchup against Germany’s Yannick Hanfmann, who advanced from his own first-round contest. Hanfmann’s progress provides an intriguing contrast in styles: the German is known for his gritty baseline play and defensive resilience, while Alcaraz’s all-court aggression and shot-making versatility make him a favorite in their projected showdown.
Although the official order of play for the second round has not been released yet, the Australian Open schedule places early-round matches between January 21 and 22 at Melbourne Park’s hard-court Grand Slam setting. Typically, second-round matches involving top seeds such as Alcaraz will take place across show courts like Rod Laver Arena or John Cain Arena, depending on scheduling and session planning by tournament officials.
Also Read: Australian Open 2026 Men’s Singles Draw Revealed: Carlos Alcaraz, Jannik Sinner Headline the Event
Match Date, Expected Time and Venue
- Match: Carlos Alcaraz vs. Yannick Hanfmann
- Round: Second Round — Australian Open 2026 Men’s Singles
- Date: January 21, 2026
- Venue: Likely Rod Laver Arena or John Cain Arena, Melbourne Park, Melbourne, Australia
Exact times for Alcaraz’s second-round match will be confirmed once the official Order of Play is published by Tennis Australia — usually the evening before each day of competition. Top seeds often play in the night session on Rod Laver Arena, attracting prime television slots and large crowds.
Live Streaming and TV Broadcast Guide
USA
- ESPN & ESPN2: Live TV coverage throughout the tournament, including early rounds and featured matches such as Alcaraz’s second round.
- ESPN+ / ESPN Unlimited: Streaming options for all matches — great for catching live action or replays if you’re away from TV.
- Coverage also includes live scores, highlights, and expert commentary.
Australia & Oceania
- 9Now and Stan Sport: Main platforms carrying live matches and replays, including Alcaraz’s matches at Melbourne Park.
- Channel 9HD / 9Gem: Free-to-air broadcast options covering major sessions.
- Online stream through the Australian Open official site and apps can also deliver live court feeds.
UK & Europe
- Eurosport / discovery+ / DAZN: These platforms carry live Australian Open coverage across many European territories, including night sessions featuring top seeds like Alcaraz.
- Sky Sports (UK): Live TV and streaming coverage available, with on-demand highlights and match replays.
India & Subcontinent
- Sony Sports Network: TV rights holder with coverage across Sony Ten channels.
- SonyLIV App: Streaming coverage with match schedules, analysis, and replays.
Global Streaming
- NBA League Pass: N/A — that’s for basketball, but Australian Open official app and ausopen.com provide live stats, match trackers, highlights and real-time updates from every court.
- Social platforms and the official tournament YouTube channel may offer extended highlights and condensed match features.
Also Read: Shockwaves Rock Carlos Alcaraz Camp as Stunning Ferrero Split Raises Deeper Questions
What’s at Stake for Alcaraz
Alcaraz enters the 2026 Australian Open as the top seed and favourite to go deep into the second week. Despite his status as a six-time Grand Slam champion, Melbourne remains the one major title that has eluded him. Winning here would not only add another Grand Slam to his résumé but also position him as the youngest player in the Open Era to complete a career Grand Slam should he later capture the other three majors in the same season.
His second-round match against Hanfmann represents a vital step toward that ambition — one that fans around the world will be watching closely as the Australian summer tournament heats up.
