Australian Open 2026: Complete Order of Play for Thursday, January Twenty-Nine
World’s top stars set to contest women’s semifinals as Grand Slam approaches final weekend
World Tennis’s first major of the season continues at Melbourne Park with a full slate of high-stakes matches scheduled for Thursday, January twenty-nine at the Australian Open.
On the penultimate Thursday of the tournament, the focus turns to the women’s singles semifinals, with the top seed and multiple-Grand-Slam champion Aryna Sabalenka facing Elina Svitolina in a marquee morning session.
Sabalenka, the world number one and a dominant figure in Melbourne in recent years, will attempt to secure her place in the championship match against a resurgent Svitolina.
Also on the centre stage, American sixth seed Jessica Pegula meets fifth seed Elena Rybakina in a clash that will decide the other finalist.
Pegula arrives after a series of commanding performances through the draw, while Rybakina’s powerful serve and aggressive baseline game have made her one of the tournament’s most formidable competitors.
These semifinals mark the first time in 2026 that the final four in the women’s draw will be contested, with the winners advancing to play for the title later in the week.
Alongside the main singles action, spectators will also see doubles semifinals and legends’ exhibition matches scheduled across Rod Laver Arena and Margaret Court Arena as part of a packed day of tennis at the first Grand Slam of the year.
The full slate underscores the Australian Open’s role in showcasing elite competition across singles, doubles, and invitational events as the tournament moves deeper into its decisive final stages.
On the penultimate Thursday of the tournament, the focus turns to the women’s singles semifinals, with the top seed and multiple-Grand-Slam champion Aryna Sabalenka facing Elina Svitolina in a marquee morning session.
Sabalenka, the world number one and a dominant figure in Melbourne in recent years, will attempt to secure her place in the championship match against a resurgent Svitolina.
Also on the centre stage, American sixth seed Jessica Pegula meets fifth seed Elena Rybakina in a clash that will decide the other finalist.
Pegula arrives after a series of commanding performances through the draw, while Rybakina’s powerful serve and aggressive baseline game have made her one of the tournament’s most formidable competitors.
These semifinals mark the first time in 2026 that the final four in the women’s draw will be contested, with the winners advancing to play for the title later in the week.
Alongside the main singles action, spectators will also see doubles semifinals and legends’ exhibition matches scheduled across Rod Laver Arena and Margaret Court Arena as part of a packed day of tennis at the first Grand Slam of the year.
The full slate underscores the Australian Open’s role in showcasing elite competition across singles, doubles, and invitational events as the tournament moves deeper into its decisive final stages.
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