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Carlos Alcaraz began his quest for a Career Grand Slam with a gritty win against Australian Adam Walton in the men's singles first round at the Australian Open 2026 on Sunday, January 18. World no.1 Alcaraz defeated Walton 6-3, 7-6(2), 6-2 in straight sets in the night session at the Rod Laver Arena to storm into the second round of the tournament.
It was a resilient performance from local lad Walton, who staged a fightback in the second set after losing the first 6-3 against the Spaniard. Walton stretched Alcaraz, who was not at his fluent best, however, the top seed managed to find enough consistency to take the second set 7-6(2).
In the third set, Alcaraz gave little chance to Walton, who was bidding to progress into the second round of his home slam for the first time in his career. The Spaniard won the third set 6-2 to wrap up a straight-sets victory in two hours and 13 minutes. Despite going down against the world No. 1, Walton gave a good account of his talent and skills in the match.
Alcaraz, who struck 38 winners in the match to overcome the resilient Aussie, extended his perfect head-to-head record to 2-0 against Walton across all competitions. Six-time Grand Slam champion Alcaraz, who has won the other three Grand Slams twice in his career so far, is bidding to win his maiden Australian Open title in Melbourne this year.
Alcaraz, who won the French Open and the US Open titles last year, made it to the quarter-finals of the Australian Open 2025 but failed to go the distance. The Spaniard has reached the quarter-finals of the Australian Open twice in the last two seasons but is yet to win his maiden title Down Under.
A triumph at the Australian Open this year will help Alcaraz complete a Career Slam by winning all four Grand Slam titles at least once in his career. The Spaniard, who has shared all eight Grand Slams since 2024 with arch-rival Jannik Sinner, is chasing a seventh major at the Australian Open 2026.
Apart from Alcaraz, World No.3 Alexander Zverev and the likes of Cameron Norrie, Alexander Bublik and Frances Tiafoe also earned wins in their respective opening round matches to enter the second round of the Australian Open 2026. Zverev came from a set down to beat 41st-ranked Canadian Gabriel Diallo 6-7 (1/7), 6-1, 6-4, 6-2 at the Rod Laver Arena.
Venus Williams' dream of becoming the oldest player to win a match at the Australian Open was shattered by world no.69 Olga Danilovic, who made a stunning comeback to beat the American great 6-7 (5), 6-3, 6-4 in her opening round clash. After going down in the first set, Danilovic clinched the next two sets to wrap up a thrilling win inside two hours and 17 minutes, securing her entry into the second round of the tournament.
