Madison Keys, the defending champion of the Australian Open, successfully navigated her opening-round match against Ukrainian Grand Slam debutant Oleksandra Oliynykova, securing a 7-6(6), 6-1 victory on Tuesday, January 20, 2026, at Melbourne Park's Rod Laver Arena. Keys, who had won the prestigious tournament 12 months prior, acknowledged feeling considerable nerves and a "timid" approach at the start of her title defense. She found herself trailing 0-4 in the first set and later faced two set points in the tiebreak, as Oliynykova, playing in her first main draw Grand Slam match, showcased an unconventional style with deep, looping shots that initially unsettled Keys. However, the ninth-seeded American demonstrated her championship experience by erasing the deficit and clinching the tense first set after 72 minutes. The momentum shifted decisively in the second set, with Keys breaking early and establishing a commanding 4-0 lead before ultimately closing out the match in 1 hour and 40 minutes. This hard-fought win allows Keys to advance to the second round, where she is set to face fellow American Ashlyn Krueger. The victory marks a crucial first step in her quest to defend her Australian Open crown.