MELBOURNE: The Australian Open 2026 has entered its first critical phase, and fans are gearing up for an exciting all-American showdown. Defending French Open champion Coco Gauff is set to take on the rising star Hailey Baptiste in the third round at Margaret Court Arena.
Gauff has been in imperious form, breezing through the first two rounds without dropping a set. However, Baptiste, who is having a breakthrough tournament, poses a unique challenge with her aggressive baseline game.
Match Schedule and Time
The match is scheduled as the second game of the day session at the Margaret Court Arena.
- Date: Friday, January 23, 2026 (Australia) / Thursday, January 22, 2026 (USA).
- Estimated Start Time (USA): 10:00 PM ET (Thursday Night).
- Estimated Start Time (India): 8:30 AM IST (Friday Morning).
How to Watch in the USA
Viewers in the United States can catch the live action on the ESPN network, which holds the exclusive broadcasting rights.
- TV Channel: ESPN2 (Live whip-around coverage).
- Live Stream: The match will be available for streaming on ESPN+ and the ESPN App. Cord-cutters can also access ESPN2 via services like FuboTV and Hulu + Live TV.
How to Watch in India
For tennis fans in India, the match will be broadcast live on the Sony Sports Network.
- TV Channel: Sony Sports Ten 5 & Sony Sports Ten 2.
- Live Stream: You can stream the match on the SonyLIV app and website.
Key Players to Watch
Coco Gauff is looking to better her 2024 semifinal run in Melbourne. Her serve has been a major weapon this week, clocking speeds over 120 mph. On the other hand, Hailey Baptiste enters this match as the underdog but with significant momentum after defeating Storm Hunter in the previous round.
