AUSTRALIAN OPEN 2026, Melbourne, WTA GRAND SLAM

[MargaretMcAleer]

Alexandrova No 11 seed another casualty defeated by Q Sonmez 75 46 64

 

[MargaretMcAleer]

A very 'sloppy' first set by Aryna Sabalenka, the young French WC I will call her Sara, a lefty, wasnt fazed at all facing the No 1 player and used some good angles and drop shots to out play Sabalenka at times. Sabalenka 1st set 64
Sabalenka found her game in the 2nd set won the match 64 61

 

[MargaretMcAleer]

I didnt have time to post the match between Venus Williams v Danilovic
45 yo Venus played at a high level in this 3 set match, she was leading 4-0, in the 3rd set,, just ran out of steam losing in 3 sets 67(5) 63 64
Venus will play in the doubles competition with Alexandrova

 

[britbox]

Order of play - Monday 19 January

 

[britbox]

I didnt have time to post the match between Venus Williams v Danilovic
45 yo Venus played at a high level in this 3 set match, she was leading 4-0, in the 3rd set,, just ran out of steam losing in 3 sets 67(5) 63 64
Venus will play in the doubles competition with Alexandrova

Here are the highlights of that match:



Can people outside of Oz confirm they can see these videos or are they geo-restricted?

 

[El Dude]

Here are the highlights of that match:



Can people outside of Oz confirm they can see these videos or are they geo-restricted?

I can view it within the US.

 

[MargaretMcAleer]

I cant see the Top seeds in Swiatek (2), Gauff (3) Anisimova (4) Pegula (6) and Andreeva (8) having trouble with their opening matches
Andreeva coming into the tournament with a great win at the WTA 500 in Adelaide, could have a 'little let down', personally she has too many weapons for Vekic, who is no slouch on the hard courts.
I had to laugh out loud when Swiatek said in her press conference she dosent know who is in her draw? yeah right Iga
I do have a question mark over the 14th seed Clara Taurson who had to retire after the 1st set in her match in Adelaide, she wasnt moving at all well. If Tauson is okay she shouldnt have trouble with her opponent in Galfi.

 

[britbox]

Coco progresses to the next round defeating Rakhimova. 27th seed and 2020 champ Sofia Kenin is gone.
In Kenin's 7 other appearances outside her championship year, she's had 5 first round exits and 2 second round exits.

 

[MargaretMcAleer]

Coco progresses to the next round defeating Rakhimova. 27th seed and 2020 champ Sofia Kenin is gone.
In Kenin's 7 other appearances outside her championship year, she's had 5 first round exits and 2 second round exits.

You can also add No 15 seed Navarro she was beaten in 3 sets by Magda Linette 36 63 63

 

[kskate2]

Sofia needs a new coach. Daddy hasn't addressed that serve and probably never will. It's the kryptonite in her game and gets exposed on the regular

 

[MargaretMcAleer]

Sofia needs a new coach. Daddy hasn't addressed that serve and probably never will. It's the kryptonite in her game and gets exposed on the regular

Agree, her father is a loose cannon, Kenin needs someone who is steady and disciplined, he threw a water bottle to the floor in her previous tournament when she lost

 

[kskate2]

You can also add No 15 seed Navarro she was beaten in 3 sets by Magda Linette 36 63 63

Not here to body shame, but stating facts. Emma has picked up a few pounds. She looks sluggish to me and is not the mobile unit her game requires. Her game is predicated on movement, defense and outlasting her opponents. Currently, none of that is happening

 

[MargaretMcAleer]

Not here to body shame, but stating facts. Emma has picked up a few pounds. She looks sluggish to me and is not the mobile unit her game requires. Her game is predicated on movement, defense and outlasting her opponents. Currently, none of that is happening

Emma is not the player she was 1 year ago, time to hit the gym and train harder to get rid of those unwanted pounds

 

[kskate2]

I didnt have time to post the match between Venus Williams v Danilovic
45 yo Venus played at a high level in this 3 set match, she was leading 4-0, in the 3rd set,, just ran out of steam losing in 3 sets 67(5) 63 64
Venus will play in the doubles competition with Alexandrova

Unfortunately, this is the norm for Vee. We've discussed it before. She's good for 2 sets and then always fizzles out in the decider. If she wants to win, she has to do it in straights.

 

[Fiero425]

Unfortunately, this is the norm for Vee. We've discussed it before. She's good for 2 sets and then always fizzles out in the decider. If she wants to win, she has to do it in straights.

That was how it was in my last yrs. of playing! If I wanted to remain competitive & win over some "20-Something," I needed that 1st set! Comebacks were rare & non-existant in my late 30's if I didn't have it early "in the bag" early!

 

[MargaretMcAleer]

Unfortunately, this is the norm for Vee. We've discussed it before. She's good for 2 sets and then always fizzles out in the decider. If she wants to win, she has to do it in straights

Yep, she is still in the doubles with Alexandrova, who also lost yesterday
Vee apparently is playing IW and Miami

 

[kskate2]

Amanda looks great and relaxed. Seems she got some rest during the offseason. I'm looking forward to what she can do this year and would like to see her not have a sophomore slump.

 

[MargaretMcAleer]

Amanda looks great and relaxed. Seems she got some rest during the offseason. I'm looking forward to what she can do this year and would like to see her not have a sophomore slump.

Amanda is one of my favs for the AO title

 

[kskate2]

sorry, not a fan of these Nike color block kits with the fluorescent colors. Ugly...

 

[MargaretMcAleer]

sorry, not a fan of these Nike color block kits with the fluorescent colors. Ugly...

Call me old fashioned I have never been a fan of Fluro Period lol!