Surprise In Eighth And Only One Candidate To Repeat

The Australian Open is left without its queen: Surprise in the round of 16 and only one candidate to repeat

The current champion says goodbye to Melbourne Park, paving the way for new aspirations in the first Grand Slam of the season.

The Australian clay court has witnessed an unexpected fall. The current champion of the Australian Open has been eliminated in the round of 16, leaving the way clear for a new sovereign in the first major tournament of the year. Of the contenders still fighting for the title, only the Belarusian Aryna Sabalenka has the opportunity to lift the trophy for the second year in a row.

Sabalenka, who has played in the last three tournament finals, stands as the only player with recent experience of Melbourne glory. Her dominance in the 2023 and 2024 editions positions her as the great favorite to retain her crown.

Other notable figures who had already been left out of the tournament previously are the Belarusian Victoria Azarenkathe energetic Japanese Naomi Osaka and the talented American Sofia Keninwho promised to fight but saw their aspirations cut short.

The surprise of the day came with the elimination of the American Madison Keyscurrent champion and world number 9. At 30 years old, Keys gave up her crown in a fratricidal duel against her compatriot and friend, Jessica Pegulanumber 6 in the ranking, with a score of 6-3 and 6-4 in just 1 hour and 18 minutes.

This confrontation between two of the great rackets in the United States promises to continue in the quarterfinals. Pegula, who was already a US Open finalist in 2024, will now face another of the promises of American tennis, the young Amanda Anisimova24 years old and current number 4 in the world.

For the other half of the picture, the talented Coco Gauff continues to advance with a firm step, consolidating itself as one of the main candidates for the title. Her youth and power make her a fearsome rival for any opponent.

Anisimova, for her part, showed her great moment by beating the Chinese Xinyu Wang by 7-6 (4) and 6-4 in 1 hour and 42 minutes. With this victory, the American completes her particular quarter-final run in the Grand Slams, achieving her best result to date at the Australian Open.

Keys' elimination is still a milestone, considering her victory in Auckland in 2025, where she defeated Pegula. This result underlines Pegula's strength in duels against their compatriots, having won 13 of their last 14 meetings.

This will be the third time that Pegula has reached the quarterfinals of the Australian Open. Her preparation for this tournament included a solid performance in the semifinals of the WTA 500 in Brisbane. Despite having won in her three previous matches against Anisimova, it is important to note that these duels did not occur in the period of competitive resurgence of the young American tennis player, which began in 2024.

The competition at Melbourne Park intensifies, with each match becoming a battle for glory. The path to the title is more open than ever, and the remaining players will fight tooth and nail to lift the coveted trophy.

Frequently Asked Questions

Who was the current Australian Open champion before this edition?
The current champion was the American Madison Keys.

Which player could repeat the title at the 2026 Australian Open?
The only player who could repeat the title is the Belarusian Aryna Sabalenka.

Who eliminated Madison Keys in the round of 16?
She was eliminated by her compatriot and friend Jessica Pegula.

What was the result of the match between Keys and Pegula?
Pegula won 6-3, 6-4.

Who will Jessica Pegula face in the quarterfinals?
He will face the American Amanda Anisimova.

What other achievements has Amanda Anisimova had in Grand Slams?
He has been a finalist at Wimbledon and the US Open in previous editions.

Who is the other great American asset in the women's draw?
Coco Gauff It is the other great American asset.

How did Jessica Pegula prepare for the Australian Open?
She reached the semifinals of the WTA 500 in Brisbane.

How many times has Pegula faced Anisimova previously?
They have faced each other three times before, with Pegula winning each time.

What does the elimination of the current champion mean for the tournament?
It opens the door to a new champion and increases the excitement to see who will win the title.

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