Former US Open champion Sloane Stephens snapped a 13-match losing streak on Monday, Jan. 12, defeating Barbora Palicova 6-1, 7-5 in her first Grand Slam qualifying match in 14 years. Stephens, who entered the draw using a special ranking of No. 115, had not won a match since Wimbledon, where she defeated Elsa Jacquemot before taking a six-month hiatus due to a foot injury.

Returning to action in September, Stephens lost her first three matches back, but she displayed resilience and tactical sharpness against the 21-year-old Czech Palicova, ranked No. 230. The win sets her up for a second-round encounter with Australia’s Olivia Gadecki, a rematch of their 2024 meeting where Stephens prevailed 6-3, 6-1.

Stephens returns to form

Stephens’ performance highlighted her determination and ability to rebound under pressure. She maintained composure throughout, breaking Palicova’s serve five times and showing improved rhythm and focus. Fans and commentators noted that Stephens’ experience and court awareness were decisive in her straight-sets victory.

The American’s comeback win is a testament to her persistence, showing that even after a long series of defeats and a six-month hiatus, she can still compete at the highest level. Stephens aims to build momentum in the qualifying rounds and secure a place in the main draw of the Australian Open.

Von Deichmann makes history

Liechtenstein’s Kathinka Von Deichmann staged one of the day’s most remarkable comebacks, overturning a 6-3, 5-0 deficit against 16-year-old wildcard Renee Alame. From that point, Von Deichmann won 10 consecutive games, saving a match point, before securing a 3-6, 7-5, 6-1 victory.

This triumph marked Von Deichmann’s first qualifying win at Melbourne Park in her sixth attempt, making her the first Liechtensteiner to win a match at the Australian Open. She will face No. 8 seed Aliaksandra Sasnovich in the next round, who defeated 16-year-old French wildcard Ksenia Efremova 6-3, 6-1.

Other notable performances included No. 10 seed Rebeka Masarova saving a match point to defeat Alina Charaeva 6-3, 6-7(2), 7-6[5] in a 3-hour, 29-minute battle, the day’s longest match. Meanwhile, 22-year-old Mary Stoiana rallied from five match points down to beat Nuria Brancaccio 7-5, 4-6, 7-5, marking her first direct entry into a Grand Slam qualifying draw.

Top seeds also fell early. Guiomar Maristany Zuleta De Reales ousted No. 3 seed Mayar Sherif 6-4, 6-3, while Lina Gjorcheska defeated No. 4 seed Sinja Kraus 7-5, 6-0. No. 5 seed Zeynep Sonmez advanced comfortably over 17-year-old Laura Samson 6-2, 6-2 in just 1 hour and 15 minutes.