Former US Open champion Sloane Stephens has broken her 13-match losing streak at the Australian Open qualifying, defeating Barbora Palicova 6-1, 7-5. This marks Stephens' first Grand Slam qualifying draw in 14 years, and her last match win before Monday was at Wimbledon 2024. Stephens' comeback is a testament to her resilience, as she took a six-month hiatus in 2025 due to a foot injury. The American, currently ranked No. 1,097, entered the Australian Open qualifying draw using a special ranking of No. 115. She will next face home player Olivia Gadecki in a rematch of a 2024 first-round match in the main draw. Meanwhile, Liechtenstein's Kathinka Von Deichmann pulled off a remarkable comeback from 6-3, 5-0 down against 16-year-old wild card Renee Alame, the youngest player in the draw. Von Deichmann, who is making her Grand Slam qualifying debut at Melbourne Park, became the first Liechtensteiner to win a match at the Australian Open in history. Two other players, Rebeka Masarova and Mary Stoiana, also saved match points to secure their wins on Day 1. However, No. 5 seed Zeynep Sonmez made light work of a potential banana skin, needing just 1 hour and 15 minutes to dismiss 17-year-old Laura Samson 6-2, 6-2. The event also saw the defeat of two Top 4 seeds at the first hurdle, with Guiomar Maristany Zuleta De Reales and Lina Gjorcheska emerging victorious.
