Gadecki and Peers March On in Australian Open Mixed Doubles Defence
MELBOURNE, 28 January 2026 – Australian duo Olivia Gadecki and John Peers have kept their title defence alive, powering into the Australian Open mixed doubles semifinals with a commanding straight-sets victory. The wildcard pairing defeated fifth seeds Aleksandra Krunic of Serbia and Mate Pavic of Croatia 6-1, 7-6(6) on Margaret Court Arena.
Dominant Start Seals Quarterfinal Berth
The Australian combination was in scintillating form from the outset, combining Gadecki’s powerful groundstrokes with Peers’ expert net presence to race through the opening set in just 22 minutes. The second set proved a tougher contest, with the experienced opponents lifting their level to force a tiebreak. The local favourites held their nerve in the clutch moments, with a signature Peers smash sealing the match after one hour and 14 minutes of play.
“We played a really good first set and it was a little unfortunate we just couldn’t get a break early in the second to continue the momentum,” Peers said post-match. “We fought hard and Liv carried me at the end there in the second.” Gadecki, 23, joked about her crucial service game late in the second set: “I thought I’d start to pull my weight around here so I chose a good time.”
Next Challenge: A Clash with Fourth Seeds
The victory sets up a semifinal showdown against the fourth-seeded pairing of American Taylor Townsend and Croatian Nikola Mektic. The seeded duo advanced earlier on Margaret Court Arena with a 6-4, 6-2 win over Irina Khromacheva and Christian Harrison. Gadecki and Peers will look to draw on the vocal home crowd support that spurred them to victory in the quarterfinals.
Olivia Gadecki: Player Profile and Key Statistics
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Age & Nationality | 23 years old, Australian |
| Birthplace | Gold Coast, Queensland |
| Current WTA Singles Ranking | World No. 172 |
| Career-High Singles Ranking | World No. 83 |
| Current WTA Doubles Ranking | World No. 56 |
| Playing Style | Right-handed, aggressive baseliner |
| Coach | Nigel Sears |
| Career Prize Money (approx.) | A$2.9 million |
Career Highlights and Trajectory
Gadecki has been a prominent figure in Australian tennis since her junior days, winning the national 14/u championships in 2016. She announced herself on the senior stage in 2021 with a stunning win as an unranked wildcard over then-world No.4 Sofia Kenin. Her major breakthroughs include reaching the Australian Open mixed doubles semifinals in 2023, making her Olympic debut at Paris 2024, and clinching her first Grand Slam title at the Australian Open in 2025 alongside John Peers.
Her career has been marked by steady progression in doubles, where she has won titles on the WTA tour, including the 2024 ATX Open. In singles, she reached her first WTA final in Guadalajara in 2024, a result that briefly made her the Australian No.1.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Olivia Gadecki’s best result at the Australian Open?
Her best singles result is reaching the second round in 2023. In doubles, she won the mixed doubles title in 2025 with John Peers and is currently in the 2026 semifinals defending that title. Her best women’s doubles result is the third round in 2025.
Has Olivia Gadecki played for Australia in team competitions?
Yes. She made her Billie Jean King Cup debut for Australia in 2021 and represented the nation at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games, competing in both singles and doubles (with Ajla Tomljanovic).
What are Gadecki’s goals for the 2026 season?
While continuing her successful doubles partnership with John Peers, a key focus will be improving her singles ranking from its current position of 172. Building consistency on the WTA tour and qualifying for more Grand Slam main draws will be central to her campaign.