Australian Open Tennis 2026 Quarter Finals: Prize money, Wednesday schedule, how to watch, odds - when is Novak Djokovic playing?
We’ll soon know all our semi-finalists in Melbourne.
The Australian Open has now entered its final week at Melbourne Park - the 114th time the competition has been staged.
The prestigious tournament is the first of the four annual tennis majors – along with Wimbledon, the French Open and the US Open.
Last year saw Jannik Sinner beat Alexander Zverev in the final to successfully his men's singles title, while Madison Keys won the women's singles after defeating two-time defending champion Aryna Sabalenka in three sets in a thrilling final.
Jannik Sinner, Alexander Zverev and Aryna Sabalenka have all reached this year’s quarter finals, along with Novak Djokovic who is hoping to win a record 11th title Down Under.
And for the first time in the Open Era, all six top seeds in both the men’s and women’s tournaments have made it to the last eight.
On Tuesday Carlos Alcaraz made it to the last four, beating Alex de Minaur in straight sets.
He’ll play Alexander Zverev, who beat young prodigy Learner Tien in four sets, for a place in the final.
In the ladies championship number one seed Aryna Sabalenka thrashed Iva Jovic to set up a semi-final with Elina Svitolina who only lost three games to third seed Coco Gauff.
Here’s everything you need to know about the tournament on Wednesday.
When is the Australian Open?
The Australian Open runs from January 18 to February 1.
The women’s singles final will be played on January 31 at 8.30am BST, while the men’s singles title will be decided from 5am on February 1.
What is the order of play for Wednesday, January 28?
Here’s the lineup for the second of two days of quarter finals in the singles tournaments. All matches are being played in the Rod Laver Arena, with play starting at 12.30am UK time.
- Elena Rybakina vs Iga Świątek (12.30am)
- Jessica Pegula vs Amanda Anisimova (not before 2am)
- Lorenzo Musetti vs Novak Djokovic (not before 3.30am)
- Ben Shelton vs Jannik Sinner (8am)
When is Novak Djokovic playing his quarter final in the Australian Open?
Djokovic will play Lorenzo Musetti on the Rod Laver Arena on Wednesday, January 28. He’s third up on the court after the two ladies quarters - so will start at 3.30am UK time, at earliest.
What is the schedule for the singles tournaments?
Here’s when the rest of the action will be taking place:
- January 29: Women's semi-finals
- January 30: Men's semi-finals
- January 31: Women's final (8.30am UK time)
- February 1: Men's final (8.30am UK time)
What is the prize money at the Australian Open tennis?
As with the other majors, the prize money is identical for the men’s and women’s singles and doubles tournaments. The prize money is broken down as follows:
Singles
- Winner: $4,150,000
- Finalist: $2,150,000
- Semi-finalist: $1,250,000
- Quarter-finalist: $750,000
- Fourth Round: $480,000
- Third Round: $327,750
- Second Round: $225,000
- First Round: $150,000
Doubles (to be shared between both players)
- Winner: $900,000
- Finalist: $485,000
- Semi-finalist: $275,000
- Quarter-finalist: $158,000
- Third Round: $92,000
- Second Round: $64,000
- First Round: $44,000
What is the difference in time between Melbourne and Britain?
Australian Eastern Daylight Time is 11 hours ahead of the UK, so much of the action will take place in the early hours of the morning.
Who are the favourites to win the Australian Open 2026?
Jannik Sinner is the favourite to take the men’s title with odds of Evens (1/1), followed by Carlos Alcaraz (11/10), Novak Djokovic (10/1) and Alexander Zverev (20/1).
In the women’s tournament Aryna Sabalenka is the player to beat with odds of 4/6, followed by Iga Swiatek (6/1), Elena Rybakina (6/1) and Amanda Anisimova (7/1).
How do I watch the Australian Open tennis in the UK?
The Australian Open will be available to watch live in the UK on Eurosport, the Eurosport App and discovery+.
The Discovery+ channel with TNT Sport is available from £30.99 per month from their website.
Eurosport is available as an add-on to Sky, BT and Amazon Prime subscribers.
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