By Richard Pagliaro | Wednesday, January 14, 2026Photo credit: Clive Brunskill/Getty
The second quarter of the Australian Open women’s draw offers some first-rate opening-round showdowns.
The draw for the 2026 Australian Open was conducted at Melbourne Park today.
Reigning champion Madison Keys opens against Ukrainian Oleksandra Oliynykova with a potential second-round meeting with American Ashlyn Krueger or Czechia’s Sara Bejlek.
Two-time AO champion Aryna Sabalenka, the strong favorite to reclaim the Melbourne major title, will face French wild card Tiantsoa Rakotomanga Rajaonah.
Some intriguing first-round matches in the second quarter include:
*(8) Mirra Andreeva v. Donna Vekic
* (23) Diana Schnaider v. Barbora Krejcikova
*(15) Emma Navarro v. Magda Linette
*(3) Coco Gauff v. Kamilla Rakhimova
2026 Australian Open Women’s Draw
Two-time major finalist Amanda Anisimova, who anchors the third quarter, should enjoy a favorable draw.
The fourth-seeded Anisimova joins (6) Jessica Pegula, (9) Madison Keys and former AO champion Sofia Kenin as one of four seeded American women in that inviting third quarter, which also includes 13th-seeded Linda Noskova, 2025 AO semifinalist Paula Badosa and former US Open finalist Leylah Fernandez.
No. 2-seeded Iga Swiatek, who is playing for her first AO crown in her bid to complete the career Grand Slam, opens against a qualifier. Swiatek, who suffered her fourth consecutive straight-sets loss to Coco Gauff at United Cup last week, resides in the same fourth quarter of the draw alongside reigning WTA Finals champion Elena Rybakina, former gold-medal champion and United Cup MVP Belinda Bencic, former world No. 1 Naomi Osaka and 31st-seeded Anna Kalinskaya, who has a career win over the powerful Pole.
