MELBOURNE, Jan 17, 2026 (BSS/AFP) - Carlos Alcaraz launches his bid for a career Grand Slam on Sunday "hungry" for an elusive Australian Open title, while Aryna Sabalenka is laser-focused on clinching a third Melbourne crown. Top seed Alcaraz is desperate to win it, having failed to go past the quarter-finals in four previous trips to Australia. - Sabalenka hot favourite -Top-ranked Sabalenka kicks off against French wildcard Tiantsoa Rakotomanga Rajaonah, preceding Alcaraz onto Rod Laver Arena. Keys failed to really kick on from clinching a maiden Grand Slam and is in Australia as the ninth seed. Sabalenka's chief rival, six-time Grand Slam winner Iga Swiatek is, like Alcaraz, angling for a career Grand Slam in Melbourne.

Source: Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha January 17, 2026 03:08 UTC