The men’s and women’s qualifying events for the 2013 Australian Open will be streamed live from today as the countdown to year's first major enters its final days.

The live stream will commence at 10am from Melbourne Park and continue through to the end of the qualifying event on Saturday, January 12.

Australian Thanasi Kokkinakis will take on the USA's Steve Johnson in the first match on Show Court 3 on Wednesday morning. They will be followed by countrymen Nick Kyrgios, Sam Groth, former world No. 4 James Blake and Aussie Matt Reid.

Also to be streamed live: the official draw for Melbourne Major, at Crown Riverside on Friday, January 11; Kids Tennis Day at Melbourne Park on Saturday, January 12; and player press conferences will also be streamed live, giving fans inside access to all the on and off-court action.

Fans around the world can tune in to the free live stream on australianopen.com and the AO YouTube channel. Fans are encouraged to join the conversation by posting their comments on the tournament's Facebook page, and following the @AustralianOpen Twitter feed and using the hashtag #ausopen.

“The live stream will provide fans with comprehensive coverage of all the action at Melbourne Park in the final countdown to Australian Open 2013,” said Tennis Australia digital manager Kim Trengove.

Qualifying action will be broadcast live from Show Court 3, with wireless camera coverage keeping fans up to date with news and results from around the grounds at Melbourne Park.