Jannik Sinner arrived at the 2026 Australian Open as one of the favourites to lift the title after winning four of the last eight Grand Slams on offer.
The world number two has an excellent record at the Australian Grand Slam, having won the previous two events in Melbourne.
Sinner loves playing at the Australian Open and his tournament will get underway with a first round clash against Hugo Gaston.
While Sinner’s section of the draw features no top 10 seeds, there is an unseeded player who could be a worry for the Italian.
In-form Sebastian Baez could challenge Jannik Sinner at the Australian Open
Sinner’s section of the draw features three seeds, but only Karen Khachanov is currently inside the top 20 of the ATP Tour rankings.
Nevertheless, Sinner could be set for a tantalising clash with Sebastian Baez in the fourth round if the World No. 36 continues the form he’s shown early on in the season.
Pick your Australian Open dark horse!
The Argentine is on a seven-match winning streak in the 2026 season after his performances in the United Cup and the ASB Classic.
Baez has beaten Jaume Munar, Taylor Fritz, Stan Wawrinka, Emilio Nava, Jenson Brooksby, Ben Shelton, and Marcos Giron without facing a single defeat.
The star is set to play Jakub Mensik in the final of the Auckland event as he looks to end his Australian Open preparation in the best possible way.
Baez will not have to play a seeded player until at least the third round in Melbourne, and a potential fourth round meeting with Sinner currently looks likely.
Having already played several more matches than Sinner in 2026, he could be a real danger to the Italian’s chances.
Sebastian Baez’s incredible turnaround
Baez has always been a solid player on the ATP Tour and he’s impressively lifted seven trophies throughout his career, but his hard court form is nothing short of a revelation.
In 2025, the Argentine won just three matches on the surface, a record he matched in his very first tournament of the year at the United Cup.
Who will win the 2026 men’s Australian Open?
The 25-year-old has clearly put the work in over the off-season and his hard court form could even match his performances on clay.
Baez has only ever won one hard court tournament before in his career, at the Winston-Salem Open in 2023.
The star could not only be about to lift his second hard court trophy, but he will be a real dark horse for the Australian Open.
