Stephens Completes Remarkable Comeback, Sets Up Historic Australian Open Clash

MELBOURNE, 20 January 2026 – In one of the most extraordinary stories of the Australian Open, former world No. 3 Sloane Stephens has fought through qualifying to book a main-draw berth, ending a painful 13-match losing streak. Her reward is a first-round blockbuster against another former top-ranked star, Karolina Pliskova, in what will be the lowest combined ranking match in a Grand Slam main draw in over three decades.

From the Depths to Melbourne Park

Sloane Stephens, the 2017 US Open champion, arrived in Melbourne ranked a lowly 1097 in the world, a consequence of a foot injury that sidelined her for six months in 2025 and a winless streak dating back to Wimbledon 2024. Using a protected ranking of 115, the 32-year-old American entered the qualifying draw for the first time since 2011.

She navigated three tough matches, defeating Barbora Palicova (6-1, 7-5), Australian Olivia Gadecki (3-6, 6-3, 6-3), and second seed Lucia Bronzetti (6-1, 7-5) in the final round. The victory over Bronzetti was particularly gritty, as she held off a late charge from 5-2 up in the second set to secure her place.

A Historic, Unlikely Showdown

The draw has produced a stunning spectacle for the opening round. Stephens will face Czech Republic’s Karolina Pliskova, a former world No. 1 and Australian Open semi-finalist. Pliskova, also returning from a long-term foot injury, is using a special ranking of 40, though her current ranking sits at 1052.

This creates a historic match-up. The combined ranking of the two players (1097 + 1052 = 2149) is believed to be the lowest for any Grand Slam main draw match (excluding unranked players) since at least 1990, pitting two former top-three players against each other in a battle of comebacks.

Stephens: “Plenty of Good Tennis Left”

In an exclusive interview after qualifying, Stephens expressed a mix of relief and optimism. “I think I was the only Grand Slam champion in qualifying, which was interesting,” she said with a smile. “It was a little bit stressful but really happy to get the win and get through.”

When asked about her ambitions, the 2013 Australian Open semi-finalist was clear-eyed. “It’s always nice to do well enough to make the second week. In general I’m just happy to be playing again and be healthy,” Stephens said. “I feel there’s plenty of good tennis left. It’s exciting for me.”

Key Facts: Stephens vs. Pliskova

Frequently Asked Questions

When did Sloane Stephens last win a match before Australian Open qualifying?

Stephens’ last victory before her qualifying run came in the first round of Wimbledon in July 2024, where she defeated Elsa Jacquemot. She then endured a streak of 13 consecutive losses across the remainder of 2024 and 2025.

What is a “protected ranking” and how did Stephens use it?

A protected ranking (or special ranking) is available to players who have been out of competition due to injury for a minimum period. It allows them to enter tournaments based on their average ranking before the injury. Stephens, ranked as low as 1097, used a protected ranking of 115 to gain entry into the Australian Open qualifying draw.

Why is the match against Pliskova considered historic?

The match is historic due to the extraordinarily low combined ranking of the two competitors (2149). It features two players who have both been ranked world No. 1 or No. 3 and have contested major finals, but who are now both ranked outside the top 1000 due to significant injuries. Such a match-up in a Grand Slam main draw is virtually unprecedented in the modern era.

What is Sloane Stephens’ best result at the Australian Open?

Stephens’ best result at Melbourne Park was a semi-final appearance in 2013, where she was defeated by Victoria Azarenka.