We've got a huge treat to look forward to at Rod Laver Arena, as two of the biggest stars in tennis face off in a tie that in any other year could easily be the final of the Aussie Open. But instead, Serena and Simona are battling for a place in the final four. Read on as we explain how to watch Australian Open tennis online and get a Serena Williams vs Simona Halep live stream wherever you are right now.
Date: Tuesday, February 16
Time: No earlier than 7pm AEDT / 8am GMT / 3am ET / 12am PT
Venue: Melbourne Park, Melbourne
FREE live stream: 9Now (Australia)
Watch anywhere: Try ExpressVPN 100% risk-free
World No. 2 Halep comes into today's clash fresh off the back of a statement victory over French Open champion Iga Swiatek, who beat her at Roland Garros back in October.
Halep had to come from behind to seal a 3-6, 6-1, 6-4 win and set up her first encounter with Serena since the 2019 Wimbledon final - a momentous match that the Romanian dominated, steamrolling her way to a 6-2, 6-2 win in less than an hour.
Astonishingly, it's now been four years since Serena last won a grand slam, with that record-equalling 24th major proving elusive to say the least. But despite being 39 and ranked 11th in the world, you write her off at your peril.
This match could light up the tournament, so don't miss a single point from Melbourne Park because it couldn't be easier to get an Australian Open live stream from all corners of the world. Watch all the drama unfold as it happens by following our Serena Williams vs Simona Halep live stream guide below to watch Australian Open 2021 tennis online today.
How to watch a FREE Australian Open live stream: Williams vs Halep in the country
Once again, Aussie tennis fans can watch all of the Australian Open action without paying a penny thanks to Channel 9, which is completely FREE to watch.
Better still, every match on every court will be available to stream - for FREE on the 9Now streaming service. All you need to do to stream the tennis is register with your email address and provide your local, Australian ZIP code (such as 3000 for Melbourne).
If you're currently out of the country but want to catch that free Australian Open coverage on Channel 9, you'll need to get yourself a VPN. Here's how that works.
How to watch an Australian Open live stream from outside your country
For broadcast and streaming details in tennis-mad countries like the UK, Australia, US, Canada and New Zealand, just scroll down the page - everything you need to know is there, including details of who is showing the tennis.
But if you try to watch your domestic coverage from somewhere outside your home country, you'll soon find a problem - geo-blocking. That's where the broadcaster prevents you from watching your usual feed from abroad. It's a common problem for sports fans all over the world. Fortunately, there's an easy solution.
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It's also compatible with just about any streaming device out there, including Amazon Fire TV Stick, Apple TV, Xbox and PlayStation, as well as Android and Apple mobiles.
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Once you've chosen and installed your VPN of choice, simply open the service's corresponding app, hit 'choose location', select the appropriate country and you'll be able to watch the broadcast as if you were back at home.
How to watch Australian Open 2021: live stream Williams vs Halep online in the US
In the US, Australian Open coverage comes courtesy of ESPN and the Tennis Channel, which also has rights to the tournament but will only be showing it on linear TV.
Both of these are cable-based services, though, so in order to watch the Australian Open online you'll need to be a paying customer. Or have a good over-the-top streaming service that gives you access to the same channels for a fraction of the price!
Of the many and varied options, the best for tennis fans wanting to watch an Australian Open live stream is Sling TV, whose Sling Orange package features ESPN channels for just $35 a month - check out a FREE Sling TV trial or save $10 on your first month, the choice is yours.
Throw in its Sports Extra add-on for an extra $15 a month to get the Tennis Channel and more - and you're done for just $50 a month. That's much less than the competition and WAY less than cable!
Alternatively, fuboTV is an even more complete end-to-end cable replacement services, which offers both ESPN and the Tennis Channel as well on plans starting from $64.99 a month for over 120 channels.
New or existing subscribers to US streaming services can still access the platform of their choice from abroad, too - all you need is the help of a good VPN.
2021 Australian Open live stream: how to watch Williams vs Halep tennis online in Canada
In Canada, you can watch the Australian Open on English-language TSN or French-language RDS - but they're premium channels that typically come with a pay TV package.
If you get them as part of your cable deal, then you'll just be able to log in with the details of your provider and get access to an Aussie Open live stream.
If you don't have cable, then you can subscribe to TSN or RDS on a streaming-only basis from just CA$4.99 a day or (much better value) $19.99 a month.
Play gets started at 7pm ET/4pm PT each day, but you'll have to be up well into the early hours to catch the evening sessions, which start at 3am ET/12am PT.
If you decide to subscribe or already have, remember you can take your favorite sports streaming service with you wherever you go - just try our No. 1 overall rated VPN 100% risk-free for 30-days and follow the instructions above.
How to live stream Williams vs Halep: watch Australian Open 2021 tennis in the UK
Tennis fans based in the UK can watch the Australian Open action via Eurosport, which means you need to have a subscription to tune in.
Eurosport is available with basic Sky TV packages or via a Eurosport Player pass, which costs either £9.99 per month or £39.99 if you're ready to commit to a whole year.
You'll have to be up late to tune into the day sessions, which begin at midnight UK time, though the evening sessions get underway at the much friendlier time of 8am GMT.
Not in the UK this fortnight? Don't panic, as downloading and installing a VPN as described above will let you tune in just as you would if you were back at home in Blighty.
How to watch Australian Open 2021 online: live stream Williams vs Halep in New Zealand
Live Australian Open coverage in New Zealand comes courtesy of Sky Sport, which is available as part of a range of pay TV packages.
Subscribers can watch online using the country's Sky Go service, while cord-cutters and anyone else can try the Sky Sport Now streaming-only platform - where a weekly pass costs just $19.99.
Play gets underway at 1pm NZDT each day, and the evening sessions begin at 9pm.
Anyone in New Zealand from abroad or vice-versa can use the VPN route outlined earlier to access their preferred coverage just like they would at home.
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