Alexei Popyrin and Alexandre Muller are poised to face off in the first round of the Australian Open 2026, making for an exciting matchup between two closely ranked competitors. Popyrin, currently ranked No. 50, will compete against Muller, who sits just two spots lower at No. 52.
Scheduled for Monday, January 19, 2026, tennis enthusiasts can watch the match live on ESPN+000, which is set to offer comprehensive coverage of the tournament from January 12 to February 1, 2026.
Popyrin enters the match as the favorite, with betting odds at -250, giving him an implied probability of winning at 71.4%. In comparison, Muller’s odds stand at +190. If looking at the tournament as a whole, Popyrin has odds of +40000 to win, while Muller is at +50000.
Examining their recent performances, Popyrin has participated in 15 hard-court tournaments over the past year, achieving a record of 7 wins and 15 losses. He has been successful in 16.3% of his return games and an impressive 77.0% of his service games. Popyrin converted 30 out of 124 break points, achieving a success rate of 24.2%. His last outing at the Great Ocean Road Open saw him exit during the Round of 32 after a match against Reilly Opelka, where he lost 3-6, 6-7.
On the other hand, Muller has played in 16 hard-court tournaments with a record of 9 wins and 16 losses. His performance includes a solid success rate of 68.8% in service games, having won 212 out of 308 attempts. However, he has struggled on return games, converting only 19.1% and winning 58 out of 303. He currently ranks 89th in break point percentage, with 35.6% of his break points converted. Muller’s most recent match at the ASB Classic resulted in a defeat to Marcos Giron, finishing 2-6, 2-6 in the Round of 32.
As the scheduled match approaches, the atmosphere is electric, with both players eager to make their mark at this prestigious tournament. Fans can anticipate a fiercely competitive encounter on the hard courts of Melbourne, a stage where underdog stories often unfold and surprises happen.