As the first round of the Australian Open draws closer, we are all set for the final round of the qualifiers on Thursday. 16 players in both men’s and women’s singles will qualify for the main draw of the first Grand Slam of the year.
Several American stars are competing in the qualifying rounds, including players with extensive Grand Slam experience and titles to their name. Let us take a look at some Team USA players who could make a splash in the first round of Australian Open qualifying.
American Players to Watch in Australian Open Qualifying
Taylor Townsend
After an eventful 2025 that saw her reach the fourth round of the US Open and become the doubles World No. 1, Taylor Townsend will be hungry for more success in 2026. The Chicago native will hope to silence the home crowd as she takes on Australian Storm Hunter.
Townsend has enjoyed success at the Australian Open in the past, winning the women’s doubles title in 2025. She will look to translate that run to the singles on Thursday. The 29-year-old made a slow start to her qualifying campaign, needing three sets to defeat Nao Hibino, 6-7 (3), 6-0, 7-5. She then cruised past Jazmin Ortenzi in straight-sets, 6-4, 6-4.
Sloane Stephens
Stephens will look to roll back the years as she takes on Lucia Bronzetti in the final round of Australian Open qualifying. The 2017 US Open champion will be the underdog against the Italian, who is seeded second in the qualifiers.
Having not won a match since 2024 prior to her two wins in Australian Open qualifying, it will be interesting to see how Stephens fares in this match. Bronzetti leads their head-to-head 1-0, courtesy of her straight-sets win in Morocco in 2023.
Nishesh Basavareddy
Highly rated upcoming men’s singles star Nishesh Basavareddy will be determined to make the main draw of the Australian Open for the second year running. 2025 was a breakout year for the Californian as he left Novak Djokovic and the Australian crowd impressed with his performance Down Under.
After a grueling second-round win against Sebastian Ofner (4-6, 6-4, 7-6 (11)), Basavareddy will face George Loffhagen for a place in the main draw on Thursday.
Mackenzie McDonald
After falling at the last hurdle of Australian Open qualifying in 2025, Mackenzie McDonald will have his sights set on making the main draw this year. The 30-year-old has looked solid in qualifying so far, although he needed three sets to defeat Dmitry Popko in the first round.
McDonald will face Canada’s Liam Draxl on Thursday, and we could be in for a closely contested match-up between the two.
