Jan 21, 2026; Melbourne, Victoria, Australia; Carlos Alcaraz of Spain celebrates his victory over Yannick Hanfmann of Germany in the second round of the men’s singles at the Australian Open at Rod Laver Arena in Melbourne Park. Mandatory Credit: Mike Frey-Imagn Images
Jan 22 (Reuters) - Highlights of the sixth day at the Australian Open on Friday (times GMT):
0013 PLAY UNDERWAY
The main showcase courts at Melbourne Park are in full swing on Friday, with men's world number one Spaniard Carlos Alcaraz set to continue his campaign for a career Grand Slam as he faces Frenchman Corentin Moutet on Rod Laver Arena, while two-time champion Aryna Sabalenka of Belarus meets Russia's Anastasia Potapova earlier in the day.
The Margaret Court Arena hosts an all-American showdown as world number three Coco Gauff faces compatriot Hailey Baptiste, while other featured matches include Australia's Alex de Minaur taking on American Frances Tiafoe and a politically charged encounter between Russia's Diana Shnaider and Ukraine's Elina Svitolina across the courts under clear blue skies.
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ORDER OF PLAY ON FRIDAY (prefix number denotes seeding):
Rod Laver Arena
Day session (0030 GMT/1130 AEDT)
1-Aryna Sabalenka (Belarus) v Anastasia Potapova (Austria)
1-Carlos Alcaraz (Spain) v 32-Corentin Moutet (France)
Night session (0800 GMT/1900 AEDT)
29-Frances Tiafoe (U.S.) v 6-Alex de Minaur (Australia)
Elena-Gabriela Ruse (Romania) v 8-Mirra Andreeva (Russia)
Margaret Court Arena
Day session (0030 GMT/1130 AEDT)
11-Daniil Medvedev (Russia) v Fabian Marozsan (Hungary)
3-Coco Gauff (U.S.) v Hailey Baptiste (U.S.)
Night session (0800 GMT/1900 AEDT)
12-Elina Svitolina (Ukraine) v 23-Diana Shnaider (Russia)
10-Alexander Bublik (Kazakhstan) v Tomas Martin Etcheverry (Argentina)
John Cain Arena
Day session (0000 GMT/1100 AEDT)
17-Victoria Mboko (Canada) v 14-Clara Tauson (Denmark)
19-Tommy Paul (U.S.) v 14-Alejandro Davidovich Fokina (Spain)
Night session (0600 GMT/1700 AEDT)
29-Iva Jovic (U.S.) v 7-Jasmine Paolini (Italy)
3-Alexander Zverev (Germany) v 26-Cam Norrie (Britain)
(Reporting by Angelica Medina in Mexico City; Editing by Clarence Fernandez)
