Top favorites move on, remarkable comebacks of Andreeva and Parks - WTA Australian Open Day 2

The Australian Open delivered stunning comebacks and dominant displays as the first round continued in Melbourne. Mirra Andreeva mounted a commanding comeback to crush Donna Vekic 4-6, 6-3, 6-0, while Alycia Parks produced the turnaround of the day, recovering from a first-set bagel to stun Alexandra Eala 0-6, 6-3, 6-2. Meanwhile, world No. 2 Iga Swiatek navigated an early challenge to defeat qualifier Yue Yuan 7-6(5), 6-3, as the Polish star continues her pursuit of a maiden Australian Open title.

Swiatek survives early scare in Melbourne

World No. 2 Iga Swiatek began her quest for a maiden Australian Open title with a hard-fought 7-6(5), 6-3 victory over qualifier Yue Yuan. The Polish star faced a much sterner test than their previous meeting, where she had dropped only three games, as Yuan extended rallies and matched her intensity throughout the opening set. Swiatek's composure shone in the crucial moments, winning three of the final four games to force a tiebreak before closing out the two-hour encounter. Her precision under pressure was exemplary, finishing with 24 winners while converting 6 of 14 break point opportunities. The six-time Grand Slam champion won 10 of 20 serve pressure points and dominated with 72% of first serve points won, carrying momentum into the second set where she secured the first three games to take control.

Parks overcomes the crowd disadvantage in remarkable turnaround

In the most dramatic comeback of the day, Alycia Parks recovered from a first-set bagel to defeat Alexandra Eala 0-6, 6-3, 6-2 in a thrilling three-set encounter. The American faced not only an early deficit but a raucous Court 6 crowd that had queued for hours to watch the 20-year-old Filipino's main draw debut. Parks acknowledged the difficulty of the hostile atmosphere but managed to stay composed, focusing on improving her first serve percentage and becoming more aggressive in the final two sets. The turning point came when Parks began hitting her spots more consistently, backed by 12 aces that helped her weather the storm. She won 27 of 44 serve pressure points, demonstrating remarkable resilience under duress, while converting 4 of 8 break point opportunities to complete the stunning turnaround.

Andreeva dominates after slow start

Mirra Andreeva showcased her championship credentials with a commanding 4-6, 6-3, 6-0 victory over Donna Vekic, turning a first-set deficit into a dominant display. After dropping the opener, the seventh seed found her rhythm in spectacular fashion, winning the final set without dropping a game. Andreeva's transformation was evident in her pressure point statistics, winning 7 of 12 serve pressure points while capitalizing on 13 of 27 return pressure opportunities. Her ability to convert 5 of 11 break chances proved decisive, with the Russian teenager showing why she's considered one of the sport's brightest prospects. The match highlighted Andreeva's mental fortitude, as she refused to let the early setback derail her Australian Open campaign.

Gauff begins Australian Open pursuit

Coco Gauff launched her 2026 Australian Open campaign with a solid 6-2, 6-3 victory over Kamilla Rakhimova. The third seed demonstrated her championship pedigree despite some serving inconsistencies, committing seven double faults but compensating with strong baseline play. Gauff's mental toughness was evident in pressure situations, winning 17 of 25 serve pressure points while maintaining aggression on return with 15 of 32 pressure points won. Her ability to save 5 of 7 break points faced showed the defensive skills that have made her a consistent Grand Slam threat. The American converted 6 of 14 break opportunities, finding her rhythm after an uneven start to establish control in both sets and advance comfortably to the second round.

Linette upsets Navarro in three-set thriller

Magda Linette produced a gutsy comeback to defeat 15th seed Emma Navarro 3-6, 6-3, 6-3 in a compelling first-round encounter. The Polish veteran showed her fighting spirit after dropping the opening set, raising her level significantly to turn the match around. Linette's serving under pressure was exceptional, winning 12 of 17 serve pressure points while staying aggressive on return to claim 11 of 23 return pressure opportunities. Her ability to convert 4 of 7 break chances proved crucial, with the experienced campaigner demonstrating the tactical awareness that has made her a consistent threat at Grand Slam level. The victory represents a strong start to Linette's 2026 season as she continues to prove her credentials against higher-ranked opposition.

Muchova edges past Cristian in tight encounter

Karolina Muchova advanced with a hard-fought 6-3, 7-6(6) victory over Jaqueline Cristian in a match that proved tougher than the scoreline suggested. The 19th seed was made to work for every point, particularly in the second set where she needed a tiebreak to seal the win. Muchova's efficiency in pressure moments was the deciding factor, winning 9 of 17 serve pressure points while capitalizing on 17 of 38 return pressure opportunities. Her conversion rate of 4 from 16 break chances highlighted the competitive nature of the encounter, with Cristian saving 12 break points to push the match into a second-set tiebreak. The Czech player's experience ultimately told as she secured her place in the second round with a professional performance.

Anisimova cruises past Waltert

Amanda Anisimova made a commanding start to her Australian Open campaign with a comprehensive 6-3, 6-2 victory over Simona Waltert. The fourth seed was in dominant form throughout, never allowing her opponent to settle into any rhythm. Anisimova's serving was particularly impressive, winning 80% of first serve points while managing just 2 of 4 serve pressure situations with typical composure. Her aggressive return game paid dividends, capturing 9 of 13 return pressure points and converting 4 of 6 break opportunities. The American's clinical performance suggests she's ready to make a deep run in Melbourne, building on the form that saw her reach the fourth seed position.

Pegula dominates Zakharova in routine win

Jessica Pegula began her Australian Open campaign in emphatic fashion, dismantling Anastasia Zakharova 6-2, 6-1 in just over an hour. The sixth seed was ruthless from the outset, powered by nine aces and an impressive 78% first serve percentage. Pegula's dominance was evident in the pressure point statistics, handling 4 of 7 serve pressure situations while overwhelming her opponent by winning 17 of 35 return pressure points. Her conversion rate of 6 from 15 break opportunities demonstrated the relentless pressure she applied throughout both sets. The American's professional display sets up an intriguing second-round encounter as she looks to improve on her previous Australian Open performances.

The day's action highlighted the unpredictable nature of Grand Slam tennis, with comebacks and upsets setting the stage for an intriguing second round. The top seeds who advanced will need to maintain their focus as the tournament intensity increases in the coming days.