Five fantastic first-round women’s matches at AO 2026

“It’s been a huge goal … to come back and prove this to myself, that it’s possible,” said the 28-year-old.

While her journey to the fourth round of AO 2025 after returning from childbirth surpassed expectations, 12 months on, Bencic is a favourite to repeat or better that feat. She holds a 1-0 head-to-head lead over Katie Boulter, the Brit who is hungry to make an impact at the home slam of fiancé Alex de Minaur.

Victoria Mboko [17] v Emerson Jones (WC)

Canada’s top female player Victoria Mboko makes her AO debut against homegrown sensation Emerson Jones in another first-ever battle between teenage prodigies.

At 19, Mboko announced herself to the tennis world in August by defeating four major champions – Sofia Kenin, Elena Rybakina, Coco Gauff and Naomi Osaka – en route to the Canadian Open title in Montreal, helped in part by support from a vocal home crowd.

But at Melbourne Park, expect fans to get behind 17-year-old Jones, as the Queenslander searches for a maiden women’s singles AO victory.

Jones is armed with new-found confidence after earning her second top 50 win by upsetting German Tatjana Maria in straight sets at the Brisbane International.