Defending champion Madison Keys has navigated a nervy start to successfully launch her Australian Open 2026 campaign, overcoming Ukraine's Oleksandra Oliynykova in straight sets on Rod Laver Arena.
A Shaky Start on Centre Court
The American ninth seed, who stunned the tennis world by winning her maiden major title here last year, admitted to significant pre-match anxiety. Those nerves were starkly evident as she lost the first four games of the match, appearing out of sorts against her determined opponent.
"I've been thinking about this moment for basically a year," Keys confessed after the match. "I'm so happy to be back in Melbourne. Obviously I was very nervous at the start."
Composure and Class Prevail
However, the experience of the reigning champion eventually shone through. Keys steadied herself, clawing her way back into the opening set before clinching a tense 7-6 (8) tie-break victory. Having cleared that significant hurdle, her confidence flooded back.
The second set was a far more straightforward affair, with Keys dominating play to secure a 6-1 win and book her place in the second round. The match concluded with a scoreline of 7-6(8), 6-1.
Building on a Landmark Victory
This victory marks Keys's first step in defending the crown she won memorably 12 months ago, when she defeated Aryna Sabalenka in a three-set final at the age of 29. The past year, however, has seen her fail to add another trophy to her collection, with early exits in Brisbane and Adelaide preceding this grand slam return.
Her Ukrainian opponent, Oleksandra Oliynykova, showcased moments of unconventional brilliance but ultimately could not sustain her challenge against the resurgent favourite.
With the first-round jitters now behind her, Madison Keys remains firmly in the hunt as she continues her title defence at Melbourne Park.
