Racing
League
Rugby
Cricket
Golf
Olympics
Football
Motorsport
Combat Sports
Basketball
Other Sports
Sport Nation
Keys makes fine start to Australian Open title defence
John Salvado, AAP • January 20th, 2026 5:33 pm
Madison Keys salutes the crowd after making a winning start to her Open title defence | Photo: Lukas Coch/AAP
Madison Keys has overcome a slow start to kick off her Australian Open title defence with a straight-sets victory over unconventional Ukrainian Oleksandra Oliynykova.
After dropping the first four games of Tuesday's encounter on Rod Laver Arena, the No.9 seed found her groove, going on to win 7-6 (8-6) 6-1.
Twelve months ago, Keys was celebrating a career-defining and long-awaited first major title after upsetting Aryna Sabalenka on the very same court.
"I have been thinking of that moment for basically a year. It was incredible to walk out for the first time since walking off the court a year ago," said the 30-year-old Keys.
"I'm so, so happy to be back in Melbourne.
"Obviously very nervous at the start, but just so happy to be back and I love playing here.
"I was actually talking to (former world No.1) Lindsay Davenport yesterday and she reminded me that not many people get to be a defending champion at a grand slam, so I'm just trying to embrace it and enjoy it."
Madison Keys got better the long her match wore on against Oleksandra Oliynykova | Photo: Lukas Coch/AAP
On her grand slam debut, Oliynykova jumped out of the blocks and raced to a 4-0 lead before Keys clicked into gear.
"First of all, I just want to say my opponent today was incredible," said the American.
"She started so well, she's such a great competitor and definitely made it tricky for me.
Oleksandra Oliynykova made life tough for Madison Keys early in their encounter | Photo: Lukas Coch/AAP
"But just being able to settle a little bit and find my way and then really just trust myself and go after my shots.
"I was playing a little bit too timid at the beginning."
Keys will play either fellow American Ashlyn Krueger or Czech Sara Bejlek in the second round.
In other early women's action on Tuesday, Janice Tjen upset former US Open finalist and Canadian 22nd seed Leylah Fernandez 6-2 7-6 (7-1) to become the first Indonesian to win a match at the Australian Open in 28 years.
