Alexander Bublik v Alex de Minaur, Aryna Sabalenka v Victoria Mboko, Carlos Alcaraz v Tommy Paul, Coco Gauff v Karolina Muchova, Daniil Medvedev v Learner Tien, day 8 scores, schedule, draw, times, how to watch

We have an epic showdown at 11.30am to get things under way on Rod Laver Arena.

It’s world No.1 – and two-time Australian Open champion – Aryna Sabalenka taking on Canadian teenager Victoria Mboko.

Mboko burst onto the scene last year with a shock run, and win, at the Masters 1000 event in Montreal where she defeated Naomi Osaka, Elena Rybakina and Coco Gauff on her way to the title.

Since then, she’s had a meteoric rise, winning another title in Hong Kong later in 2025.

When I spoke to Mboko at the United Cup a few weeks ago, she said her goal for 2026 was to reach the second week of a grand slam. Well, she’s one win away from achieving that goal in the first month of the year.

Standing in her way, though, is a formidable opponent in Sabalenka.

Interestingly, these two have never played, but there’s no doubt Sabalenka is the favourite to win this match with more experience both on these big courts and getting this far at a two-week tournament.

I don’t necessarily think she gets it done in straight sets, though. I can see Mboko coming out with nothing to lose and rattling the world No.1, before Sabalenka settles into the match and wins the next two sets.