After missing the final three majors of the 2025 season with a foot injury, former semifinalist Sloane Stephens looks to punch her ticket. Playing in the qualifying of a major for the first time since 2011 Wimbledon, the 2017 US Open title holder faces the No. 2 seed in the draw, Lucia Bronzetti.
Stephens is one of 11 Americans hoping to grow the U.S. contingent chasing major hardware Down Under. Also among them? Taylor Townsend, who advanced to the round of 16 at last year’s US Open, and two-time reigning NCAA champion Michael Zheng. Townsend takes on wild card Storm Hunter, while Zheng meets No. 28 seed Lukas Klein.
Four of the eight men in December’s Next Gen ATP Finals field are a win away from qualifying, including Nishesh Basavareddy. The 20-year-old, who took a set off Novak Djokovic in his major debut last year at Melbourne Park, is coming off a double match point save. Rafael Jodar, Nicolai Budkov Kjaer and Dino Prizmic also aim to advance.
Exclusive: Prizmic ready to make another Melbourne mark
