Vukic and Walton Advance in Adelaide Amid Aussies’ AO 2026 Qualifying Draw Insights
Aleksandar Vukic and Adam Walton have made strong starts in their qualifying campaigns at the Adelaide International. Their performances aim to boost the representation of Australian men in the upcoming Australian Open 2026. A total of 26 Australian players, consisting of 13 men and 13 women, will compete for a chance to enter their home Grand Slam.
Match Highlights
Vukic, who reached the quarterfinals in 2022, faced Luca Nardi in his opening match. Despite losing a nail-biting first-set tiebreak, Vukic rallied back to win the match 6-7(4) 6-4 6-3 after just over two hours of play. Walton also showcased his skills by defeating fellow countryman Jake Delaney with a score of 6-2 3-6 7-6(2).
Upcoming Competitions
With their recent victories, Vukic and Walton aim to expand the Australian men’s presence in Adelaide to seven players. Among the local stars, world No. 50 Alexei Popyrin is set to play against big-serving American Reilly Opelka. Other notable Australian competitors in the main draw include Thanasi Kokkinakis, James Duckworth, Tristan Schoolkate, and Rinky Hijikata.
- Key Matches:
- Alexei Popyrin vs. Reilly Opelka
- Daria Kasatkina vs. Maria Sakkari
- Maya Joint vs. Sofia Kenin
- Ajla Tomljanovic, Emerson Jones, and Kimberly Birrell will also compete.
Australian Open 2026 Qualifying Draw
The qualifying rounds for the Australian Open 2026 begin at Melbourne Park. The initial matchups have been set, with notable Australian players eager to secure their places in the tournament.
Men’s Qualifying Round Matches
| Match | Court |
|---|---|
| Dane Sweeny vs. Andrea Peliegrino | ANZ Arena |
| Edward Winter vs. Arthur Fery | Court 7 |
| Philip Sekulic vs. Marco Trungelliti | Kia Arena |
| Bernard Tomic vs. Hugo Dellien | 1573 Arena |
Women’s Qualifying Round Matches
| Match | Court |
|---|---|
| Tina Smith vs. Cadence Brace | 1573 Arena |
| Olivia Gadecki vs. Arantxa Rus | Court 6 |
| Stefani Webb vs. Linda Klimovicova | ANZ Arena |
| Lizette Cabrera vs. Gabriela Knutson | Court 6 |
| Renee Alame vs. Kathinka von Deichmann | ANZ Arena |
The competition promises to be fierce as Australian players look to impress and qualify for the Australian Open 2026 at their home ground. Fans can stay updated on match outcomes and player performances by visiting Filmogaz.com.
