The Athletic has live coverage of the 2026 Australian Open men’s semifinals featuring Carlos Alcaraz vs. Alexander Zverev and Novak Djokovic vs. Jannik Sinner.
The 2026 Australian Open men’s singles semifinal round has arrived with a chalky final four. Jannik Sinner is the No. 2 seed and, as the two-time defending champion in Melbourne, the favorite. Novak Djokovic, the No. 4 seed, is chasing a record 25th major.
Top-ranked Carlos Alcaraz has a chance to complete a career Grand Slam, while world No. 3 Alexander Zverev is aiming for his first major. Here’s how to tune in to the action.
How to watch the 2026 Australian Open men’s semifinals
- Venue: Melbourne Park — Melbourne
- Date: Jan. 29-30
- TV (U.S.): ESPN
| MATCH | TIME (ET) | TV | STREAM |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Semi #1: |
10:30 p.m., Thu. |
ESPN |
|
|
Semi #2: |
3:30 a.m., Fri. |
ESPN |
A replay of the men’s semifinals will also air Friday on ESPN2 from 2 to 5 p.m. ET.
All ESPN programming can be streamed with ESPN Unlimited. ESPN Deportes is also home to the tournament’s Spanish-language broadcast. Global TV carriers can be found on the Australian Open’s website.
The first semifinal was set by two quarterfinal wins that were decisive for different reasons. Alcaraz turned a tight first set into a rout, while Zverev survived a lost tiebreak and still closed in four.
Alcaraz reached his first Australian Open semifinal by beating home hope Alex de Minaur 7-5, 6-2, 6-1, a match that swung hard after the opener and never really came back. Zverev ended American Learner Tien’s run 6-3, 6-7(5), 6-1, 7-6(3). The German steadied himself after dropping the second-set tiebreak by serving bigger, hitting heavier shots and playing safer, smarter points when the score tightened.
It sets up a contrast in how points are built. Alcaraz wants to take the middle of the court away with speed, variety and quick changes of direction. Zverev wants to make the match physical, serve-dominant and play on his preferred geometry.
The second semifinal pairs Sinner against Djokovic. Sinner earned his spot with a straight-sets win over Ben Shelton 6-3, 6-4, 6-4, pushing his Melbourne winning streak to 19 and setting up another high-stakes meeting with Djokovic.
Djokovic advanced in the most uncomfortable way possible: Italy’s Lorenzo Musetti retired hurt while leading by two sets, and Djokovic acknowledged afterward that he was “extremely lucky” to get through to the semis.
The tension is obvious. Sinner has beaten Djokovic in their past five meetings and hasn’t dropped a set in their last three, but if Djokovic wins, he will become the most prolific Grand Slam winner in singles history. Sinner’s baseline pace and return pressure have tilted their recent matches his way. Djokovic’s path depends on serving well enough to keep points on his terms and extending rallies only when he chooses to.
The stage will soon be set for the men’s championship, which begins at 3:30 a.m. ET on Sunday, Feb. 1. Alcaraz and Sinner are heavily favored to advance, which would mark their fourth straight Grand Slam final meeting.
Updated Australian Open men’s singles odds
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