Anisimova begins her AO 2026 campaign with a first-time meeting with Swiss world No. 86 Simona Waltert, who is making her AO women’s singles main draw debut. Should she survive that encounter, Katerina Siniakova and AO 2020 champion Sofia Kenin, the 27th seed, could await in the second and third rounds respectively.
MORE: AO 2026 women’s singles draw
The fourth seed’s projected fourth-round opponent is 13th seed Linda Noskova, while her slated quarterfinal adversary is countrywoman and sixth seed Jessica Pegula. Anisimova may then need to slay top seed and two-time AO champion Sabalenka and chase that victory with one in the final over either second seed Swiatek or third seed Coco Gauff to lay claim to the Daphne Akhurst Memorial Cup.
Like any professional player, she’s wary of counting chickens before they hatch.
“It’s a new Grand Slam,” she said.
“I’m just really taking it one match at a time … everyone is going to be very difficult to face here, but I’m looking forward to it.
“Going into this year, I’m just thinking about how I can get that extra edge [and] improve as an athlete.
“There are expectations, but I use them as motivation.”