The tennis world is currently vibrating with that specific pre-Slam energy that only January provides. We’re just days away from the Australian Open, and if you've been tracking the atp tennis results today, you know the "tune-up" tournaments are proving to be anything but a casual warm-up.
Honestly, it's a mess out there—in the best way possible.
In Auckland, the weather decided to be the main character. Rain delays turned the ASB Classic into a test of mental fortitude rather than just baseline rallies. Meanwhile, over in Adelaide, the seeds are dropping like flies, or in some cases, barely clinging to the cliffside.
If you’re trying to make sense of the chaos before the main draw starts in Melbourne, here is what actually happened on the courts this Thursday, January 15, 2026.
ATP Tennis Results Today: The Auckland Rain Dance
New Zealand’s summer is famously unpredictable. Today was basically a masterclass in "hurry up and wait."
The headline story coming out of the ASB Classic is Marcos Giron. The American is having a ridiculous start to the year. He took down the fourth seed, Luciano Darderi, in a match that felt like it lasted three days because of the stop-start nature of the showers.
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Giron lost the first set 1-6. Most guys would have checked out mentally. Instead, he "tightened the bolts"—his words, not mine—and ground out a 1-6, 7-5, 6-4 win. He’s now the first player this season to reach back-to-back semifinals after his run in Hong Kong. That's a lot of matches in his legs, but the confidence is clearly through the roof.
The Shelton vs. Baez Cliffhanger
Then you have Ben Shelton. He's the top seed and arguably the most exciting American in the draw. But Sebastian Baez had other plans. Baez took the first set 7-5 before the heavens opened up for good.
They’re frozen in time: Baez leads 7-5, 0-1. They have to come back Friday to finish this, and the winner doesn't even get a break—they have to play Giron in the semis shortly after. It's brutal. It's exactly why tennis is the most taxing sport on the planet.
Adelaide International: Power Shifts and Precision
Adelaide was a bit more straightforward, at least in terms of actually finishing matches. The atp tennis results today from the South Australian capital show a tournament that is Alejandro Davidovich Fokina’s to lose.
The Spaniard was clinical. He dismantled Rinky Hijikata 6-3, 6-2. Hijikata had the crowd, but Davidovich Fokina had the variety.
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Here’s a quick look at the other significant movers from the Adelaide Round of 16:
- Tommy Paul stayed steady, beating Reilly Opelka 6-4, 6-4. It was a battle of the Americans, and Paul’s return game was just too sharp for the Opelka serve.
- Ugo Humbert absolutely crushed Tallon Griekspoor 6-4, 6-1. Humbert is one of those players who, when he's "on," looks like a top-five talent.
- Jaume Munar pulled off a gritty comeback against Francisco Cerundolo, winning 3-6, 7-5, 6-4.
- Tomas Machac continued his quiet rise, taking out Quentin Halys 6-4, 6-2.
One notable bummer: Thanasi Kokkinakis had to withdraw. Valentin Vacherot gets the walkover into the quarters. It’s a tough break for the Aussie fans who were hoping for a deep run from "Kokk" before his home Slam.
The Australian Open Draw Is Out
While the matches were happening, the big news off-court was the 2026 Australian Open draw reveal. This changed the context of every result we saw today.
Novak Djokovic and Jannik Sinner are in the same half. Let that sink in.
Sinner is the two-time defending champion. He’s the guy who finally figured out the Djokovic puzzle in Melbourne. If they both hold serve, we’re looking at a semifinal that is basically a "final before the final."
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On the other side, world number one Carlos Alcaraz has a relatively smooth path until the later stages, where Alexander Zverev looms. Alcaraz starts his campaign against Adam Walton.
The Qualifiers Who Just Broke Through
We also saw the final round of qualifying today. This is where the real "human" stories are.
Nicolai Budkov Kjaer, the Norwegian kid who looks up to Casper Ruud, just made his first-ever Grand Slam main draw. He beat Pierre-Hugues Herbert 6-2, 6-3. Also joining him are some names you need to keep an eye on: Nishesh Basavareddy and Rafael Jodar. These guys are part of that "Next Gen" wave that is finally starting to crash against the old guard.
Why Today Matters for Your Picks
If you’re looking at the atp tennis results today and trying to figure out who to back in Melbourne, look at Marcos Giron. No, he probably won't win the Australian Open. But he is exactly the kind of unseeded player that a top seed does not want to see in the second round.
Also, keep an eye on Davidovich Fokina. He’s the 14th seed in Melbourne, and his form in Adelaide suggests he’s finally found the consistency that has eluded him for years.
The most important thing to remember is that these 250-level tournaments are about rhythm. Players like Tommy Paul and Ugo Humbert are finding theirs at the perfect time.
Actionable Insights for Fans
- Watch the Auckland Semis: Because of the rain, Friday will be a double-header for several players. Watch for fatigue. If Baez or Shelton has a three-hour battle in the morning, they are prime candidates for an upset in the afternoon.
- Monitor the Weather: It’s not just Auckland. Melbourne weather can be a nightmare. Players who handle delays well (like Giron) are better bets for the first week of a Slam.
- Check the Main Draw Pairings: Now that the results from today are in, go look at where Davidovich Fokina and Tommy Paul landed in the AO draw. Their current form makes them dangerous "bracket busters."
The road to the 2026 Australian Open crown officially goes through these weary, rain-soaked players in Auckland and the surging seeds in Adelaide. Friday’s schedule will be packed as tournaments try to catch up, so expect even more drama before the weekend hits.