2026 Australian Open: Leylah Fernandez, Sloane Stephens bow out, Madison Keys begins title defence with a win

Leylah Fernandez and Sloane Stephens have bowed out of the 2026 Australian Open, following their first-round women’s singles exit on Tuesday (20 January).

Fernandez, who came into the competition as the 22nd seed, was beaten in straight sets by Indonesia’s unseeded Janice Tjen 6-2, 7-6.

It marked the second tennis Grand Slam win of Tjen’s career, coming on her tournament debut Down Under.

The 23-year-old’s victory at Stadium Australia sets up a second-round clash with Karolina Plíšková, who fought past Stevens at the Show Court Arena.

Despite a tense opening set, it was the Czechia international who pushed ahead in the second to see off American opposition 7-6, 6-2.

Today’s victors will meet tomorrow (21 January) for second round action.

Australian Open 2026: All results, full set scores, and match winners

Madison Keys fights through first set nerves to book second round spot

Elsewhere in Melbourne, 2025 AO champion Madison Keys kicked off her title defence against Oleksandra Oliynykova, winning at the Rod Laver Arena 6-7, 1-6.

The Ukrainian held her own in the opening set, but 30-year-old Keys showed her winning know-how to ease into the next round in straight sets.

“I have been thinking of that moment for basically a year,” Keys said in her on-court interview.

“I’m just so happy to be back, I love playing here. As nervous as I was at the start, I’m really glad to be back and that I got through that match.”

She will face Ashlyn Krueger in an all-American affair on Wednesday (21 January).

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