The first round of the 2026 Australian Open proved to be a mixed bag for the Americans competing in the men’s and women’s singles. A total of 40 Americans had entered the main draw, and 17 were eliminated at the first hurdle.
There have already been a few major upsets at the 2026 Australian Open, and some big names had to pack their bags early. Here we take a look at how the Americans fared in the first round of the 2026 Australian Open.
Americans Eliminated From the First Round of the Australian Open
Among those to be eliminated in the first round were 21-time Grand Slam champion Venus Williams, 2020 Australian Open champion Sofia Kenin, and World No. 15 Emma Navarro.
Williams lost to Olga Danilović in three hard-fought sets, 7-6 (5), 6-3, 6-4. She also suffered a first-round defeat in the women’s doubles alongside partner Ekaterina Alexandrova.
27th seed Kenin was beaten by compatriot Peyton Stearns in straight sets, while Navarro was beaten by Magda Linette in one of the biggest shocks of the first round.
Katie Volynets was beaten by Iva Jović, lucky loser Taylor Townsend lost to Hailey Baptiste, while 2017 US Open champion Sloane Stephens was defeated by KarolÃna PlÃÅ¡ková. Elizabeth Mandlik was beaten by Anna Bondár in straight sets.
On the men’s side of the draw, Sebastian Korda was beaten by compatriot Michael Zheng in a marathon five-set battle, while Learner Tien got the better of Marcos Giron. Lucky loser Mackenzie McDonald was beaten by local favorite Alex de Minaur, while Alex Michelsen was beaten by Karen Khachanov in five sets.
Brandon Nakashima also came up short, losing in four sets to Botic van de Zandschulp. Martin Damm, Zachary Svajda, Aleksandar Kovacevic, Jenson Brooksby, and Patrick Kypson were also eliminated in the first round.
Americans Who Qualified for the Second Round of the Australian Open
Possible Australian Open contenders Amanda Anisimova, Coco Gauff, Jessica Pegula, and reigning champion Madison Keys managed to make it to the second round by winning in straight sets.
Caty McNally, McCartney Kessler, Ashlyn Krueger, Ann Li, Jović, Baptiste, and Stearns also enjoyed wins.
Meanwhile, Alycia Parks pulled off an incredible come-from-behind win against Alexandra Eala.
In men’s singles, Ben Shelton won in straight sets, but Taylor Fritz was pushed to four sets by Valentin Royer before winning 7-6 (5), 5-7, 6-1, 6-3. Zheng battled past Korda in a five-set thriller, winning 6-4, 6-4, 3-6, 6(0)-7, 6-3.
Eliot Spizzirri pulled off a stunning upset against Joao Fonseca, winning 6-4, 2-6, 6-1, 6-2. Frances Tiafoe defeated Jason Kubler in straight sets, 7-6 (4), 6-3, 6-2.
There were also wins for Tommy Paul, Nishesh Basavareddy, Reilly Opelka, Emilio Nava, Ethan Quinn, and Tien.
