The draw for the 2026 Australian Open is out, and it features many blockbuster clashes from the first round onwards. Multiple top-10 players find themselves facing stern opponents in the first round, which increases the weight of these matches. Here are the 5 best first-round matches, which promise high-quality tennis and potential drama.
Australian Open: 5 Best Men’s First Round Matches
Andrey Rublev vs Matteo Arnaldi
The first-round clash between 13th-seeded Andrey Rublev and unseeded Matteo Arnaldi at the 2026 Australian Open has the potential to be one of the most intriguing early matchups on the men’s side. These two have met four times before, with the head-to-head tied at 2-2. This is going to be their first best-of-5 match on a hard court, and the tied head-to-head means neither player has a clear psychological edge going into this match.
Rublev famously lost to rising talent Joao Fonseca in the first round last year and went on to suffer his worst season since 2018. He will be eager to avoid another early exit and make a deep run in Melbourne. However, Arnaldi’s all-court game bodes well against the Russian player. Arnaldi uses his depth and athleticism to neutralise Rublev’s aggression. It will be interesting to see how Rublev handles his emotions, which can sometimes turn into meltdowns, giving Arnaldi a window to take over the match. All in all, this match has lots of layers underneath, and fans will be in for a treat.
Ben Shelton vs Ugo Humbert
This match promises to be a great display of left-handed tennis. This is going to be their first-ever meeting, and both players rely on big first serves. Other than the serve and leftiness, these two are completely different players. Shelton has raw power but also plays with a lot of margin, while Humbert is a clean and flat ball-striker who hardly deploys any spin on his shots.
Shelton will look to target Humbert’s backhand with inside-out forehands and use his lefty hook serve to pull Humbert wide on the ad side. Humbert will look to redirect Shelton’s pace with his flat strokes, which can rush the American player. Humbert will also look to target the second serve of Shelton, which can be vulnerable. The tactics are laid out for both players, but it will eventually come down to who can execute better. Both these players had their best runs at the Australian Open in 2025, but one of them will have to depart early this time.
Grigor Dimitrov vs Tomas Machac
This matchup could produce early fireworks, as both players are capable of displaying extremely high-quality tennis and extraordinary shots, which can send the fans into a frenzy. Both these players have been plagued by injuries, especially Grigor Dimitrov, who has retired mid-match in his last five Grand Slam appearances. Dimitrov and Machac have met just once on the ATP Tour, with Machac holding a 1-0 lead from their sole encounter at the 2024 Erste Bank Open in Vienna.
This match will test Dimitrov’s fitness as Machac is not just an aggressive baseliner but also a great mover, and will test the legs of the Bulgarian. Dimitrov’s all-court elegance and brilliant forehand allow him to transition to the net. He will aim to serve big and shorten the points. Dimitrov has a crafty one-handed backhand, but it lacks the firepower and heaviness of Machac’s backhand, and the Czech player will look to target that wing of Dimitrov. If both these players play close to their potential, this could be a must-watch.
Alexander Zverev vs Gabriel Diallo
World No.3 Alexander Zverev starts another season with the hope of achieving his biggest dream, winning a Grand Slam. He is the finalist from last year but was outplayed in the final by Jannik Sinner, and one wonders whether the scar tissue remains. One thing is for sure: he has to bring his best level to navigate through a tricky draw, which starts against Gabriel Diallo, who has impressed so much in his short career.
Zverev was outclassed by Hubert Hurkacz at the United Cup and was seemingly upset. He tends to be a slow starter and finds rhythm as the tournament goes on. This is where Diallo can hurt him by catching him cold. Both players have massive serves and will be a key factor in this matchup. Zverev will play how he plays, but it will be interesting to see how Diallo approaches this match. This match has serious upset potential, which makes it intriguing and one of the definite watches.
Alex de Minaur vs Matteo Berrettini
The first-round clash between #6 seed Alex de Minaur and unseeded Matteo Berrettini at the 2026 Australian Open stands out as one of the toughest openers for any seeded player, especially given the home-crowd expectations on De Minaur. Berrettini leads the head-to-head 3-2, but the Australian won their last meeting. This rivalry blends Berrettini’s big serve and forehand against De Minaur’s solid returns and defensive mastery, making it a treat for the viewers.
It was another injury-plagued season for the Italian in 2025, but he showed sharp form towards the end of the season and helped his country to a third consecutive Davis Cup title. He didn’t play any warm-up tournaments before coming to Melbourne, while De Minaur had a strong United Cup campaign. Berettini’s biggest tactic will be to finish the point under 5 shots, while De Minaur will look to extend the rallies. This match could end up being the talk of the first round.
Main photo credit: Mike Frey-Imagn Images
