The former world No.3 is upbeat about the road ahead. “It’s always about looking ahead, instead of looking back,” she said. The American will next tackle Australia’s Olivia Gadecki, who owns a 2-1 head-to-head advantage over Stephens.
In the day’s biggest upset, Spaniard Guiomar Maristany Zuleta De Reales toppled third seed Mayar Sherif 6-4 6-3 to set up a second-round clash against Tatiana Prozorova.
Second seed Lucia Bronzetti avoided an early exit by outlasting Aliona Bolsova 6-0 6-7(3) 6-1. The 27-year-old Italian, who upset two-time AO champion Victoria Azarenka in the opening round of AO 2025, is chasing a third main draw appearance.
In second round action, she’ll face off against American Mary Stoiana, who saved three match points to defeat Nuria Brancaccio 7-5 4-6 7-5 in two hours and 46 minutes.
Elsewhere, Viktoriya Tomova, once ranked as high as No.46, also earned a berth in the second round of qualifying, earning a comeback 1-6 6-4 6-0 victory over American Bernada Pera.