If you’re hunting for today's live tennis scores, things are getting pretty wild down under. We are officially in that weird, frantic transition period. You know the one. It's that slim window where the tiny, intimate ATP 250 and WTA 500 events are wrapping up their finals while the massive, looming shadow of the Australian Open is already starting to swallow Melbourne Park whole.
Honestly? It's chaos. But the good kind.
The big story right now isn't just who won a trophy in Adelaide or Auckland, but who’s actually healthy enough to survive a best-of-five slugfest starting this Sunday. We’ve seen some massive names pulling out of exhibition matches with "soreness" (which is tennis-speak for I don’t want to blow my knee out before the first Slam), while a few rising stars are playing the best tennis of their lives.
The Adelaide and Auckland fallout
Let's look at the actual numbers because they tell a story of total exhaustion and grit. In Adelaide, Alejandro Davidovich Fokina has been a literal wall. He took down Valentin Vacherot in a straight-sets masterclass (7-6, 6-2) that probably felt a lot closer than the scoreline suggests. Vacherot really pushed him in that first-set tiebreak, but Fokina’s movement is just... well, it's peak Fokina.
Over on the women’s side in Adelaide, Mirra Andreeva continues to prove she isn't just a "prospect" anymore. She’s a problem. She dismantled Maya Joint 6-2, 6-0. It was clinical. It was fast. It was honestly a bit scary for anyone who has to face her in the first round in Melbourne.
- ATP Adelaide: Davidovich Fokina def. Vacherot (7-6, 6-2)
- WTA Adelaide: Andreeva def. Joint (6-2, 6-0)
- ATP Auckland: Jakub Mensik survived a brutal three-setter against Fabian Marozsan.
Mensik is an interesting one. He’s only 20, but he plays like a guy who’s been on tour for a decade. He won the Auckland semi-final earlier today in a match that had more momentum swings than a playground. After dropping the first set, he just refused to miss. Basically, if you aren't watching this kid, you're missing out on the next big thing in the top 10.
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Australian Open qualifying: The grind is real
While the stars are fighting for titles, the real "blood, sweat, and tears" stuff is happening in the final rounds of the Australian Open qualifiers. If you’re checking today's live tennis scores and seeing names you don’t recognize, these are the guys fighting for their livelihoods.
Qualifying is basically a Hunger Games scenario. If you lose, you go home with a check that barely covers your flights. If you win? You get a spot in the main draw and a guaranteed payday that can change your entire season.
Iva Jovic just pulled off a massive win against the veteran Magda Linette in Hobart (6-5, 6-7, 7-2 in the final breaker). Seeing a youngster take down a seasoned pro like Linette under that kind of pressure? That’s why we watch this sport. It wasn't pretty. It was a dogfight.
Who is actually ready for Melbourne?
Look, everyone is talking about Carlos Alcaraz and Aryna Sabalenka. They are the top seeds for a reason. Alcaraz is scheduled to face Adam Walton in his opening match, and while Walton is a local favorite, it’s Alcaraz’s tournament to lose.
But here’s what most people get wrong about the live scores right now: they focus on the wins, not the "time on court."
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Take Ben Shelton, for example. He’s been putting in heavy hours this week. While he’s winning, he’s also spending a lot of energy. Historically, the players who win these week-before tournaments often run out of gas by the second week of a Grand Slam. It’s a delicate balance. Do you want the momentum of a trophy, or do you want fresh legs?
Real-time scoreboard snapshot (January 16, 2026)
If you're checking your phone every five minutes, here is the current state of play across the globe:
In the ATP Auckland doubles, the team of Arribage and Olivetti just edged out a win over Cabral and Miedler. It went to a match tiebreak—10-5. Doubles at this level is basically just a contest of who has the faster reflexes at the net, and Arribage was lights out today.
Over in the Challenger circuit, which is where the real die-hards hang out, Mikhail Kukushkin is still grinding. He beat Tom Gentzsch 6-2, 6-4 in Glasgow. The man is 38 years old. Think about that. Most people his age are complaining about lower back pain while sitting on a couch, and he’s out here hitting 120mph serves in a cold gym in Scotland.
Why today’s results matter for your bracket
If you’re doing an Australian Open bracket challenge with your friends, pay attention to the Hobart scores. Antonia Ruzic has been playing lights-out tennis, recently beating Olga Danilovic. She’s coming into the main draw with zero pressure and a ton of match wins. That is a recipe for a first-round upset.
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Also, keep an eye on Emma Raducanu. She’s slated to play Mananchaya Sawangkaew on Sunday. Today's practice reports out of Melbourne say she’s hitting the ball cleaner than she has in years.
Actionable insights for tennis fans
- Watch the "Time on Court" stats: If a player has played four three-setters this week (like Mensik), be wary of them in the AO first round.
- Surface speed matters: The courts in Adelaide are playing slightly faster than Melbourne Park this year. Don't assume a big server who dominated in Adelaide will have the same advantage on the slightly grittier Melbourne surface.
- Check the "Retirements": If you see a player retired or gave a walkover today (like some in the ITF events in Bressuire or Monastir), it's usually precautionary, but it’s a huge red flag for their next match.
The transition from these smaller events to the best-of-five format in Melbourne is the hardest jump in sports. It's not just about skill; it's about lung capacity and mental toughness.
Keep your eyes on the today's live tennis scores for the next 24 hours. The last few finals will wrap up, the draws will be finalized, and then the real madness begins. If you're betting or just watching for fun, the "form" players from today are usually the ones who provide the most value in the opening rounds.
To stay ahead, verify the final seeds for the Australian Open tonight, as several players from the Adelaide and Hobart draws are expected to jump significantly in the live rankings, potentially affecting their placement in the Melbourne brackets. Pay close attention to the weather reports for Melbourne Park as well; the heat index is forecasted to rise, which favors the players who finished their matches quickly today rather than those who endured long, three-set battles.