Rivals to avoid for the favorites in the early rounds of the 2026 Australian Open

Iker Jiménez | 12 Jan 2026 | 15.29

Hubert Hurkacz will be one of the opponents to avoid in the early rounds. Source: Getty

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Excitement always prevails before a Grand Slam, but in Melbourne, there can also be a certain respect, and even fear, among the favorites for what the draw may bring them in the early rounds. The Australian Open 2026 promises challenging matches from the start, with a trio of dangerous players on hard court who have not managed to be seeded. This means that any of them could face the favorites in the first two matches, just when the heat, fast court, and lack of rhythm after the preseason can have a greater impact.

The first Grand Slam of the year kicks off this Sunday with a draw full of dangers from day one. The first round of a major is never easy, especially the first one of the season. Tension, adjustments in the game, adaptation to a very demanding climate. And players who become real traps from the beginning. We analyze who will be the tough draws in the men's draw.

Old rockers never die

It's crucial to consider the veterans who can still make life difficult for the favorites. Grigor Dimitrov, Marin Cilic, and Stan Wawrinka, the 2013 champion, have more than enough tennis to cause damage in Melbourne and turn any first match into a nightmare. The only question is their physical level, which may falter in long matches or in later rounds, but in the early rounds, they usually are fresher, focused, and capable of using their experience to impose themselves, making them very dangerous opponents from the start, able to push any favorite to their limits and shake up the beginning of the tournament.

Long-awaited comebacks from injury

Hubert Hurkacz and Matteo Berrettini return to Melbourne after overcoming respective injuries, but their level is beyond doubt. Hurkacz, especially, arrives in great form after his excellent performance in the United Cup 2026, showing good rhythm, confidence, and a devastating serve. Berrettini, with his powerful serve and forehand, also looks set to be a headache for anyone in the first round.

Bombardiers on hard court

Another group of dangerous rivals consists of big servers. Players like Reilly Opelka, Giovanni Mpetshi-Perricard, Jan-Lennard Struff, or Alexei Popyrin can decide a match with their first serve, taking advantage of any lapses from their opponent. On fast courts like those in Melbourne, their power and ability to win direct points make them formidable opponents. While they may not excel in long rallies, their serve and flat shots make them very uncomfortable adversaries in the early rounds.

Complete players in good form

While not necessarily specialists on fast courts, one must always consider players with solid tennis and enough experience who, on a good day, can make life difficult for anyone. This can be applied to names like Machac, Humbert, Michelsen, or Korda, with more than enough tennis arguments to trouble the favorites in the early rounds. Even Jaume Munar, Seba Báez, and Zizou Bergs can surprise with their solidity from the baseline. In essence, a significant number of challenges that the favorites will need to navigate with great care from the first round.

This news is an automatic translation. You can read the original news, Rivales a evitar por los favoritos en las primeras rondas del Open de Australia 2026