While Aleksandar Vukic and Adam Walton launched successful qualifying campaigns at the Adelaide International, a 26-strong Australian contingent learned their AO 2026 qualifying draws.
Vukic, a quarterfinalist in the Adelaide main draw in 2022, overcame Luca Nardi in his first qualifying match.
After surrendering a tight first-set tiebreak to the 105th ranked Italian, the Australian recorded his 6-7(4) 6-4 6-3 victory in just over two hours.
Walton also started strong at the tournament, overcoming countryman Jake Delaney 6-2 3-6 7-6(2).
Vukic and Walton are aiming to expand the Australian's men's contingent in Adelaide to seven.
Led by world No.50 Alexei Popyrin, who faces big-serving American Reilly Opelka in his opening match, the Adelaide main draw features local stars Kokkinakis, James Duckworth, Tristan Schoolkate and Rinky Hijikata.
Five Australian women will compete in the main draw of the WTA 500-level tournament, led by Daria Kasatkina. The world No.37 meets former world No.3 Maria Sakkari in her opening match.
Headline-grabbing teen Maya Joint, who climbed to her current career-high No.32 after a breakthrough 2025 season, faces Australian Open 2020 champion Sofia Kenin in her first match.
Ajla Tomljanovic, Emerson Jones and Kimberly Birrell will also be in action at The Drive when main draw action begins on Monday.
Australian Open qualifying begins
Other Australian players will vie for a place in the Australian Open 2026 main draw as qualifying begins at Melbourne Park on Monday.
There are 26 local players – 13 men and 13 women – competing for the opportunity to contest their home Grand Slam.
They would join a field that includes seeded stars world No.6 Alex de Minaur and No.32 Maya Joint at the season-opening major.
Aussies in action
COMING UP ON DAY 1
Australian Open men’s qualifying – first round
Dane Sweeny (AUS) v [26] Andrea Peliegrino (ITA) – Second match, ANZ Arena
[WC] Edward Winter (AUS) v Arthur Fery (GBR) – Second match, Court 7
[WC] Philip Sekulic (AUS) v [18] Marco Trungelliti (ARG) – Third match, Kia Arena
Bernard Tomic (AUS) v [25] Hugo Dellien (BOL) – Fourth match, 1573 Arena
> MORE: Australian Open 2026 men's qualifying draw
Australian Open women’s qualifying – first round
Tina Smith (AUS) v Cadence Brace (CAN) – First match, 1573 Arena (from 10am AEDT)
Olivia Gadecki (AUS) v [22] Arantxa Rus (NED) – Second match, Court 6
[WC] Stefani Webb (AUS) v [23] Linda Klimovicova (POL) – Third match, ANZ Arena
[WC] Lizette Cabrera (AUS) v Gabriela Knutson (CZE) – Third match, Court 6
[WC] Renee Alame (AUS) v Kathinka von Deichmann (LIE) – Fourth match, ANZ Arena
> MORE: Australian Open 2026 women's qualifying draw
COMING UP ON DAY 2
Australian Open men’s qualifying – first round
James McCabe (AUS) v [WC] Pavle Marinkov (AUS)
[WC] Cruz Hewitt (AUS) v Michael Zheng (USA)
[WC] Moerani Bouzige (AUS) v [20] Liam Draxl (CAN)
Jason Kubler (AUS) v Harold Mayot (FRA)
[WC] Marc Polmans (AUS) v [9] Elmer Moller (DEN)
Alex Bolt (AUS) v Elias Ymer (SWE)
[WC] Blake Ellis (AUS) v Stefano Travagila (ITA)
[WC] Li Tu (AUS) v Rafael Jodar (AUS)
Australian Open women’s qualifying – first round
Arina Rodionova (AUS) v Iryna Shymanovich
Astra Sharma (AUS) v Carson Branstine (CAN)
[WC] Tahlia Kokkinis (AUS) v Anouk Koevermans (NED)
[WC] Storm Hunter (AUS) v Ekaterine Gorgodze (GEO)
[WC] Alana Subasic (AUS) v [27] Lola Radivojevic (SRB)
Destanee Aiava (AUS) v Harriet Dart (GBR)
Maddison Inglis (AUS) v [29] Leyre Romero Gormaz (ESP)
[WC] Elena Micic (AUS) v Carole Monnet (FRA)