Canadian Stars Auger-Aliassime, Mboko Shine at Australian Open on TSN
The 2026 Australian Open is set to commence this weekend, attracting top talent from the ATP and WTA Tours to Melbourne. The tournament will kick off with the first rounds beginning Saturday at 7 p.m. ET/4 p.m. PT, broadcast live on TSN2/3 and available for streaming on TSN.ca.
Defending Champions and Key Players
Defending men’s champion Jannik Sinner is the second seed as he seeks to secure a third consecutive Australian Open title. On the women’s side, Madison Keys returns as the defending champion, entering the tournament as the ninth seed.
Canadian Talent at the Australian Open
This year, seven Canadian players have made it into the main draw. Notable participants include:
- Felix Auger-Aliassime: The seventh seed aims to build on his impressive late-2025 performance, reaching the semifinals at the US Open and winning the European Open in Brussels. He opens against Portugal’s Nuno Borges.
- Victoria Mboko: Rising to 17th in the world rankings, the 19-year-old faces wild card Emerson Jones in her opener after a strong showing in Adelaide.
- Denis Shapovalov: The 21st seed looks to bounce back from a second-round exit in 2025, starting against wild card Yunchaokete Bu.
- Leylah Annie Fernandez: The 22nd seed aims for a strong performance following her previous success, beginning her tournament against Janice Tjen.
- Gabriel Diallo: Following a breakout season, Diallo will face a challenge against third-seed Alexander Zverev in his opening match.
- Liam Draxl: Making his Grand Slam debut, the world No. 145 faces an opportunity against potential matchups with Francisco Cerundolo and Andrey Rublev.
- Marina Stakusic: After qualifying, she makes her second Grand Slam appearance and will face wild card Priscilla Hon.
Additional Matches and Prospects
Auger-Aliassime has a favorable draw, potentially facing Daniil Medvedev and Zverev in subsequent rounds. Mboko may encounter No. 14 Clara Tauson, and if successful, could meet Aryna Sabalenka, the two-time Australian Open champion.
Shapovalov and Fernandez both have promising paths as well, with potential matchups against higher-ranked opponents as the tournament progresses. The Canadian players are expected to provide thrilling matches as they aim to advance through the prestigious Grand Slam event.
Fans are eager to witness how these Canadian stars, including Auger-Aliassime and Mboko, will shine at the Australian Open this year.
