The Polish world No. 55 defeated Belgium's Zizou Bergs in four sets, 6-7, 7-6, 6-3, 6-3, in their first-round match at Melbourne Park.
Hurkacz will next face American Ethan Quinn at the Grand Slam event in Australia.
Fellow Pole Kamil Majchrzak also reached the second round, beating Britain’s Jacob Fearnley 7-6, 7-5, 3-6, 7-6 on Monday.
On the women’s side, Poland’s world No. 2 Iga Świątek, 50th-ranked Magda Linette, 57th-ranked Magdalena Fręch and Grand Slam debutant Linda Klimovicova all progressed to the second round with wins on Monday.
The 2026 Australian Open runs until February 1.
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Source: IAR, PAP