By Richard Pagliaro Thursday, January 15, 2026
Image source: Mubadala Citi DC Open Facebook
The Happy Slam should be full of drama from the first round.
Here are our picks for the top five women’s first-round players at the Australian Open.
Barbora Krejcikova (Czech Republic) vs. (23) Diana Schnaider
Head to Head: First Meeting
Two-time Grand Slam champion Krejcikova has been slowed by a thigh injury that will have you on edge when she steps out in heavy bandages, Elena Dementieva style. But Krejcikova’s all-court skills and calm competitiveness make her a threat to anyone. The southpaw Schneider is only 21 years old, but she has already won five singles titles and is on the verge of breaking into the top ten for the first time.
One interesting aspect of this match: Krejcikova beat another talented left-handed hitter, Taylor Townsend, in an epic U.S. Open comeback in the quarterfinals at Flushing Meadows last September. I was lucky enough to attend that match at Louis Armstrong Stadium where Krejcikova hit some great backhands from the baseline. Scheider must be aware of the dangerous shot and try to stretch the court with her forehand to keep the 30-year-old Czech moving.
(Q) Sloane Stephens (USA) vs. Karolina Pliskova (Czech Republic)
Head-to-head: Stephens leads 6-1
There was a time when this clash between former world No. 1 Pliskova and former No. 3 Stephens could have been a Grand Slam final. Stephens defeated Venus Williams and Madison Keys to win the 2017 U.S. Open. In the 2016 Flushing Meadows final, Pliskova pushed Angelique Kerber to three sets before losing 6-3, 4-6, 6-4.
Both women plan to make comebacks in Melbourne. On the surface, you could think of it as Pliskova’s power and first-down play versus Stephens’ consistency, court coverage and skill-stretch points. The forehand exchange is crucial here, as both men have powerful forehands.
(8) Mira Andreeva VS Donna Vickery (CRO)
Head-to-head: Andreeva leads 1-0
Vekic can hit a first serve, hit a forehand and knows how to perform in the Grand Slams. Vecchi reached the 2023 AO quarter-finals and the 2024 Wimbledon semi-finals, coming very close to the SW19 finals.
I respect Andreeva’s athleticism, court awareness and overall game. The Indian Wells champion is one of the brightest young talents in the sport and his serve is bigger than you think. The question is: How will Andreeva, who finished in the fourth round of AO in a row, deal with the pressure of being a favorite? Will Andreeva become too passive, trying to pick up the slack from the big-attacking Vecchi, or use her versatility to disrupt the former No. 17? In their only meeting, Andreeva won 3-6, 6-4, 6-4 at the 2024 Beijing Olympics.
Janice Tjen (INA) vs. (22) Leylah Fernandez (Canada)
Head to Head: First Meeting
The initial clash between the Babolat-wielding 23-year-old phenoms could be something special. If you haven’t seen Tjen play, you know that she is confident and can get close at the net. Tjen excelled at Pepperdine University, becoming the first Indonesian woman to win a WTA singles title since Angelique Widjaja won the 2025 Chennai Open title. If you play tennis at any level, you have to respect the passion, desire and impeccable timing that Fernandez brings to every match. Fernandez crosses the baseline, is at his best with the ball on the way up, and robs his opponent of reaction time. How strong is Fernandez? She made her debut in the 2020 AO Qualifiers. A season later, Fernandez made an inspired run to the U.S. Open final, losing to Emma Raducanu. The winner of this match will face the winner of the match between Sloane Stephens and Karolina Pliskova.
(27) Sofia Kenin (USA) vs Peyton Stearns (USA)
Head to Head: First Meeting
An interesting contrast in styles is that Kenin can hit her two-handed backhand with the best of her hands – she will even go around her forehand to hit her backhand at times – while Stearns’ topspin forehand is her best weapon. The fact that both women will give up court space to try and hit their best shots may create opportunities for whoever is willing to fire from the baseline.
Kenin, the 2020 Australian Open champion, has only won one AO match since defeating Garbine Muguruza in the 2020 final, losing four consecutive games in the first round. So Kenin will feel the pressure, but so will Stearns, who has yet to win a match at Melbourne Park and has been knocked out in the first round in five of the past eight majors. Stearns is most comfortable on clay and slower surfaces, but keep in mind she does reach the round of 16 at the 2023 U.S. Open. It was a game of opportunity, but also a tense test for both sides.
