Rei Sakamoto vs Rafael Jodar Preview & Prediction | 2026 Australian Open | First Round

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Rei Sakamoto faces Rafael Jodar in the first-round of the Australian Open.

Start date/time:

Venue: Melbourne Park, Melbourne, Australia

Surface: Outdoor hard

How to watch on TV: UK – TNT Sports / USA – ESPN

How to watch online: UK – discovery+ / USA – ESPN+ & Tennis Channel

Tickets: Visit this link for the latest Rei Sakamoto vs Rafael Jodar ticket information

Rei Sakamoto vs Rafael Jodar prediction

Rei Sakamoto is set to make his main draw debut in a Grand Slam after three wins in qualifying. The 19-year-old did not lose a set in any of his matches against Dan Evans, Colton Smith and Giulio Zeppieri. Sakamoto has won three Challenger titles, becoming the first Japanese teenager to do so.

He takes on a fellow youngster in Rafael Jodar. The Spaniard is also set to make his first appearance at a Grand Slam. Jodar has made a brilliant start to the year, getting through to the final in Canberra and then winning all three of his qualifying matches. He has nine wins from his 10 matches this season so far. He also won three Challenger titles last season and picked up an impressive win over Learner Tien at the ATP Next Gen Finals.

Both players have promising futures ahead of them, but Jodar is slightly further ahead in terms of his development, and he’s the favourite to advance.

Rei Sakamoto vs Rafael Jodar tip: Rafael Jodar to win