AO 2026 Men’s draw: Sinner braced for early hurdles in pursuit of three-peat

The 2026 Australian Open men's singles draw has set the stage for thrilling matchups, with Jannik Sinner aiming for a historic third consecutive title. He might face Novak Djokovic in the semi-finals

Defending champion Jannik Sinner might face Novak Djokovic during the semi-finals.

The script for the 2026 Australian Open has been written. On a high-stakes Thursday at Melbourne Park, the men’s singles draw was unveiled, setting the stage for a fortnight where history isn't just a possibility, it’s the expectation. At the center of it all is world No. 2 and two-time defending champion Jannik Sinner. After clinching titles in 2024 and 2025, the Italian is bidding for a rare "three-peat" that would place him in the rarefied company of Novak Djokovic as the only man in the Open Era to win three consecutive Australian Open crowns.

The Champion’s way to final

Sinner’s quest begins against France’s Hugo Gaston. While the Italian holds a perfect 2-0 record over the left-hander, the early rounds are far from a formality.

The tennis world is already buzzing about a potential third-round "clash of the future" against 28th seed Joao Fonseca. The Brazilian teenager, considered the fastest riser on the ATP tour, possesses the raw power to challenge Sinner’s baseline dominance.

Should Sinner navigate that, he is projected to face the clinical Karen Khachanov (15) in the fourth round. However, the true blockbuster lies further down the bracket: a potential semifinal against Novak Djokovic.

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Djokovic’s "Drive for 25"

Seeded fourth, Novak Djokovic returns to his most successful hunting ground with one goal: a record-shattering 25th Grand Slam title. After two consecutive semifinal exits in Melbourne, the 38-year-old looks to prove that the "old guard" still has a say.

Djokovic opens against Spain’s Pedro Martinez. His projected path is a masterclass in the generational shift:

Read also: Australian Open 2026: Venus Williams gets a wild card, will be the oldest woman ever to compete in the main draw.

Alcaraz and the Career Grand Slam

On the top half of the draw, world No. 1 Carlos Alcaraz arrives with a singular focus. Having already conquered Paris, London, and New York, the 22-year-old Spaniard is seven matches away from becoming the youngest man to complete a Career Grand Slam.

Alcaraz will launch his campaign against Australian Adam Walton. While Alcaraz is the heavy favorite, he shares a half with third seed Alexander Zverev who is desperate for redemption after falling to Sinner in last year's final.

De Minaur’s nightmare start

For the Australian contingent, the draw was bittersweet. Alex de Minaur carries the highest seed for an Australian man in 20 years (No. 6), but his reward is a "first-round match from hell" against former world No. 6 Matteo Berrettini.

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