Defending champion Madison Keys nearly lost her first match at the 2026 Australian Open. She beat Ukraine’s Oleksandra Oliynykova 7-6 (8-6), 6-1 on Rod Laver Arena on Tuesday 20 January.
Key Facts
- Winner: Madison Keys (USA), ninth seed and 2025 champion.
- Opponent: Oleksandra Oliynykova (Ukraine), ranked 92nd, playing her first Grand Slam main draw.
- Score: 7-6 (8-6), 6-1.
- Time: 1 hour 40 minutes.
- Next: A second-round match against fellow American Ashlyn Krueger.
How Keys Escaped
Keys lost the first four games. She also trailed 4-0 in the tiebreak and faced two set points. She then won four points in a row, three of them with forehand winners, the WTA reported. The second set took just 28 minutes.
Oliynykova’s Big Day
Oliynykova, 25, used drop shots, slice and very high “moonball” shots to upset Keys’s rhythm. The Guardian reported she rose from No. 297 in March 2025 to No. 92.
Correction
An earlier version of this story described a “historic upset”. Keys won the match.
Frequently Asked Questions
Did Madison Keys win her first-round match at the 2026 Australian Open?
Yes. She beat Oleksandra Oliynykova 7-6 (8-6), 6-1.
How close did she come to losing?
She trailed 4-0 in the first set and in the tiebreak, and saved two set points.
Who did Keys play next?
Fellow American Ashlyn Krueger.
Conclusion
Keys survived a real scare, and Oliynykova won many new fans.
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