What matches are on today at the Australian Open and when do Aryna Sabalenka and Zeynep Sonmez play on Sunday 18 January 2026

The 2026 Australian Open main draw is now fully under way in Melbourne, with British tennis fans waking up on Sunday 18 January 2026 to a packed day of Grand Slam action. Today marks the first full day of main-draw competition, featuring top men’s and women’s players on court, including Aryna Sabalenka and Zeynep Sonmez, and comprehensive live coverage available across the UK. With key matches scheduled throughout the morning in British time, viewers can follow every point from one of the most important days of the tournament. One of the standout fixtures is the women’s singles match between Aryna Sabalenka and Zeynep Sonmez, scheduled for the morning in Britain.

With an 11-hour time difference between Melbourne and the UK, many viewers are seeking clear and accurate information on start times, courts and broadcast options. This guide sets out exactly what is happening today, when key matches begin in British time and how to watch them. This is reported by The WP Times, citing official Australian Open schedules and UK broadcast partners.

Today’s key matches on Sunday 18 January 2026 – UK times

The official order of play confirms that main-draw action at the Australian Open begins in the early hours of Sunday morning for viewers in the UK. All times listed below have been converted into GMT and are based on the latest schedule published by tournament organisers.

Main matches for British viewers

Tournament organisers emphasise that all times are approximate and may change due to heat policies, rain delays or extended previous matches. An Australian Open schedule note states:
“Match start times are always subject to change depending on court conditions and earlier matches.” (Australian Open order of play guidance, 18 January 2026)

Aryna Sabalenka vs Zeynep Sonmez: what to expect

The clash between Aryna Sabalenka and Zeynep Sonmez is one of the headline contests of the day.

Player profiles

*Rankings approximate at the start of the tournament.

Sabalenka arrives in Melbourne as one of the clear tournament favourites after winning a warm-up event in Brisbane earlier this month. Sonmez is making one of her first major appearances at this level and will be aiming for a breakthrough performance. Sky Sports Tennis expert Gigi Salmon said in her pre-tournament analysis: “Without question on these courts Sabalenka is still the player to beat.” (Gigi Salmon, Sky Sports Tennis column, 18 January 2026)

Exact UK time for Sabalenka vs Sonmez

Because matches are played sequentially on the same court, the start could move later if earlier contests run long.

How to watch the Australian Open in the UK today

British viewers have several reliable and official ways to watch the Australian Open live today. Comprehensive television and streaming coverage is available across the UK, ensuring fans can follow every major match, including the contest between Aryna Sabalenka and Zeynep Sonmez. With early-morning start times and multiple courts in action, broadcasters are providing flexible options to watch on television, online and via mobile devices. British viewers have several official ways to follow the tournament live.

Broadcast and streaming options

Sky Sports holds exclusive live rights to the tournament in the UK and is broadcasting daily coverage across multiple courts. A Sky Sports spokesperson confirmed: “Viewers in the UK can watch every key match live across our dedicated tennis channels and digital platforms.” (Sky Sports Tennis statement, January 2026)

Why today is significant in Melbourne

Sunday 18 January represents the true beginning of the main competition after several days of qualifying and preparation events. Gigi Salmon explained the importance of the opening rounds: “The early rounds at a Grand Slam always set the tone for the rest of the tournament, and Melbourne is no different.” (Gigi Salmon, Sky Sports Tennis, 18 January 2026) For British fans, today offers:

• First competitive appearances of top seeds
• Potential early-round upsets
• Multiple matches across show courts
• Full day-long live television coverage

British interest in the draw

Several UK players are involved in first-round action over the coming days.

Brits to watch this week

While none of these matches clash directly with Aryna Sabalenka vs Zeynep Sonmez, many British viewers will be following several courts at once.

Understanding UK viewing times for the australian open

For British audiences following the Australian Open, the time difference between the UK and Melbourne is the key factor when planning how to watch matches, including the highly anticipated contest between Aryna Sabalenka and Zeynep Sonmez.

• Melbourne operates on Australian Eastern Daylight Time (AEDT)
• The city is 11 hours ahead of Greenwich Mean Time (GMT)
• Day sessions in Australia are shown overnight in Britain
• Evening sessions in Melbourne are shown early to mid-morning UK time

This means that the highest-profile matches often take place at convenient times for UK viewers. The fixture between Aryna Sabalenka and Zeynep Sonmez, scheduled for approximately 08:30 GMT on Sunday 18 January 2026, falls into one of the most accessible viewing windows of the day.

Tournament organisers note in official guidance:
“Start times are subject to change based on match duration, weather conditions and scheduling adjustments.” (Australian Open scheduling notice, January 2026)

How to follow australian open live scores in the UK

Not every fan will be able to watch matches live on television, particularly during early-morning sessions. Several reliable options allow British audiences to track every point of the australian open in real time.

Official live score sources

• Australian Open official website – point-by-point scoring and match statistics
• AO mobile app – push notifications, live scores and schedules
• Sky Sports Tennis live blogs – minute-by-minute updates
• BBC Sport website and app – live text commentary and reports

Tournament director Craig Tiley confirmed the global reach of these platforms:
“Our digital platforms ensure fans anywhere in the world can follow every point in real time, no matter where they are watching from.” (Craig Tiley, Australian Open media briefing, January 2026)

Practical viewing tips for UK audiences today

To avoid missing key moments from matches including Aryna Sabalenka versus Zeynep Sonmez, broadcasters and organisers recommend several practical steps.

Recommended actions

• Check the official australian open order of play early each morning
• Allow additional time in case of delayed starts
• Use recording features on Sky Sports platforms
• Set personalised alerts through the AO mobile app
• Monitor Sky Sports and BBC Sport for schedule updates

Sky Sports advises viewers: “Because matches are played consecutively on the same courts, start times can shift quickly. Fans should plan to tune in slightly earlier than the published estimate.” (Sky Sports Tennis viewer guidance, January 2026)

Other major names in action on Sunday 18 January 2026

While the meeting between Aryna Sabalenka and Zeynep Sonmez is one of the main attractions, the day’s programme at the Australian Open also features several of the biggest names in world tennis.

Leading matches to watch

• Jannik Sinner – defending men’s champion begins his title defence
• Novak Djokovic – seeking a record-extending Grand Slam triumph
• Iga Swiatek – former world number one opens her campaign
• Daniil Medvedev – scheduled for a morning session in UK time

Sky Sports Tennis analyst Gigi Salmon offered her early prediction for the tournament:
“I believe the champions in Melbourne will be Jannik Sinner and Amanda Anisimova.” (Gigi Salmon, Sky Sports Tennis column, January 2026)

Where UK viewers can get technical help

Fans experiencing problems with streaming or accessing coverage can contact providers directly.

British tennis followers therefore have a full day of accessible Grand Slam action ahead, with clear ways to watch, stream or follow every match point-by-point. Central to the schedule is the women’s singles contest between Aryna Sabalenkaand Zeynep Sonmez, one of the highlights of the 2026 australian open for UK audiences.

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