Australian Open: Day two picks with Djokovic, Gauff and Swiatek in action

Novak Djokovic and Coco Gauff headline the second day of action at the Australian Open on Monday.

Ten-time champion Djokovic remains confident he can challenge the likes of Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner while Gauff will hope to improve on her quarter-final exit 12 months ago.

Iga Świątek also opens her challenge.

Here, we identify three matches to keep an eye on tomorrow.

Novak Djokovic (Srb) v Pedro Martinez (Spa)
Djokovic has had an extremely low-key build-up to the season’s first major, pulling out of last week’s event in Adelaide to ensure he was firing on all cylinders in Melbourne.
The 38-year-old has not played an ATP Tour match since November when he beat Lorenzo Musetti to win the Hellenic Championship in his now home town of Athens.
It is, therefore, difficult to gauge where he is at in terms of his preparation but Djokovic’s experience and know-how around the Rod Laver Arena should mean he can navigate his opening test with few alarms.
Martinez is ranked 71st in the world and has never been past the second round here. We don’t think he will get that far in 2026.
Prediction: Djokovic in three sets

Coco Gauff (USA) v Kamilla Rakhimova (Uzb)
Gauff’s best run at Melbourne Park came in 2024 when she reached the semifinals and the American will expect to go at least one better this time round. She opens day two on the main show court against the world number 93 who switched from representing Russia to Uzbekistan in December.
“It’s a fine line of playing like your life depends on it but also not playing like your life depends on it,” last year’s Roland Garros champion said. “I try to give it my all, and when I leave the court, just knowing I gave it my all, and regardless of results, I still have things I can look forward to.”
She shouldn’t have too many issues here.
Prediction: Gauff in straight sets

Iga Świątek v Yuan Yue
The women’s champion is likely to come from one of Gauff, Swiatek or Aryna Sabalenka, who eased past Tiantsoa Rakotomanga Rajaonah earlier today.
Swiatek has never reached the final in Melbourne with her run to the semi-finals here 12 months ago her best result.
The Pole showed at Wimbledon last year how destructive she can be and she also has the added incentive this fortnight of trying to become just the 11th female player to complete the career grand slam.
There won’t be an early slip up here…
Prediction: Świątek in straight sets