The Australian Open's qualifying rounds got underway at Melbourne Park on Monday, with some notable names making their mark. While no British women were in action on Day 1, the likes of doubles World No 2 Taylor Townsend and 2017 US Open champion Sloane Stephens punched their tickets into the 2nd round of the 3-round competition.
Townsend, the 11th-seeded player, needed 6 match points to defeat Japan's Nao Hibino, 6-7(3) 6-0 7-5, in a gripping encounter on Kia Arena. She expressed her pride in her performance, highlighting her problem-solving skills. Townsend, a former AO 2012 junior girl's singles champion and defending women's doubles champion, arrived in Melbourne in high spirits after a refreshing off-season, including a vacation with two-time AO champion Naomi Osaka. The pair's shared experiences and mutual respect have forged a strong bond, with Townsend now having a close friend on the tour.
Earlier in the day, Stephens, Townsend's compatriot, secured a 6-1 7-5 victory over Czechia's Barbora Palicova, marking her first win since Wimbledon 2024. The 32-year-old, an AO 2013 semi-finalist, expressed her joy at returning to the court after a long time. She played more matches than usual during the off-season to prepare for the tournament, and is optimistic about the future.
The American will next face Australia's Olivia Gadecki, who has a slight head-to-head advantage over Stephens. In other matches, the Spaniard Guiomar Maristany Zuleta De Reales caused a major upset by defeating the 3rd seed Mayar Sherif from Egypt, setting up a 2nd-round meeting against Tatiana Prozorova from Russia. No 2 seed Lucia Bronzetti narrowly avoided an early exit, outlasting Spain's Aliona Bolsova. The 27-year-old Italian, who previously upset two-time AO champion Victoria Azarenka, is now set to face American Mary Stoiana, who saved 3 match points to defeat Italy's Nuria Brancaccio.
Meanwhile, Viktoriya Tomova from Bulgaria, once ranked as high as No 46, earned a berth in the 2nd round of qualifying with a comeback win over American Bernada Pera. Victoria Jimenez Kasintseva, the first Andorran player to win a Grand Slam, also joined the winner's circle, triumphing over Canada's Kayla Cross. In other matches, Slovakia's Viktoria Hruncakova defeated Burundi's Sada Nahimana.
