Australian Open 2026: Aussie stuns for $225k payday as former champ crashes out and World No.8 forced to quit

Storm Hunter became the second Aussie to advance to the second round of the Australian Open on Monday, securing a $225,000 payday in the process. But it was bad news for American seeds Sofia Kenin and Emma Navarro, as former champion Kenin and 15th seed Navarro crashed out in the first round.

And it was disaster for men's World No.8 Felix Auger-Aliassime, who called it quits after dropping the third set to Nuno Borges. The Canadian seventh seed was trailing 6-3 4-6 4-6 when he retired hurt with a leg injury to send Borges through.

Kenin won the Australian Open in 2020 after famously upsetting Ash Barty in the semi-finals of her home slam. But she's suffered a stunning decline ever since the maiden grand slam triumph.

The American has failed to make it past the fourth round of a major in the six years that have followed, outside of making the French Open final right after winning the Australian Open. Since 2022 she hasn't made it further than the third round at a major, and has now exited the Australian Open in the opening round in five-straight years.

On Monday she was no match for compatriot Peyton Stearns, going down 3-6 2-6. The women's 27th seed became the fifth seeded player to lose in the first round, joining Flavio Cobolli, Marta Kostyuk, Dayana Yastremska and Ekaterina Alexandrova.

She also became the second grand slam champion to fall at the first hurdle after American legend Venus Williams lost on Sunday night. And it was more bad news for the American contingent just moments after Kenin's loss when 15th seed Navarro lost 6-3 3-6 3-6 to Magda Linette.

Thankfully for the US contingent, third seed Coco Gauff avoided the carnage. The French and US Open champion was too good for Kamilla Rakhimova, winning 6-2 6-3.

Storm Hunter gets $225,000 payday after Australian Open win

It was a much happier story for Hunter, who continued her remarkable run. The 31-year-old had to win three matches in qualifying just to make the main draw at Melbourne Park, and on Monday she came back from trailing in both sets to beat Jessica Bouzas Maneiro 6-4 6-4.

The veteran - better known for her success in doubles - has overcome a recent Achilles injury that threatened to ruin her career. By making the second round she's earned herself a $225,000 payday.

She became the second Australian to win in the opening round after 21-year-old wildcard Talia Gibson. Unfortunately for the Aussie contingent, Adam Walton, Tristian Schoolkate and Jason Kubler all lost on Sunday.

"I don't know what to say," said an overjoyed Hunter. "I'm so full of joy being out here playing, win or lose I don't really care. I just want to come out and enjoy and put on a good show for everyone out here. And I'm just so happy.

"I'm out here playing, which is just crazy and I'm just so happy to be here. I didn't think I could be back playing at this level again (after the Achilles rupture). I'm just so happy that all the hard work I've done with my team, it's paid off and I can't believe I get another singles match. It’s crazy."

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