Madison Keys is back in Australia, and she's already sending a clear message: she's here to win. After a stellar 2025 season Down Under, culminating in an Australian Open title, all eyes are on whether she can repeat that success in 2026. Kicking off her campaign at the Brisbane International, Keys secured a decisive victory against McCarthy Kessler with a score of 6-4, 6-3 in the second round. But can she really recapture that magic from last year?
"It's always a little nerve-wracking playing your first match of the year," Keys confessed after her win. "I felt like I was trying to knock a little bit of the rust off, but overall really happy with how today went." This candid admission highlights the pressure even seasoned pros face at the start of a new season.
While it's risky to draw sweeping conclusions from just two sets, there were moments of brilliance in Keys' performance that suggest she's in top form. And this is the part most people miss: even with a slightly bumpy end to 2025 (eight losses in seventeen matches after reaching the Roland Garros quarter-finals, including a disappointing first-round exit at the US Open), Keys possesses the raw power and mental fortitude to be a serious contender at Melbourne Park. Think of it like a race car: even with a few pit stops, the engine is still roaring.
The world number seven started strong, unleashing powerful groundstrokes with laser-like focus. This aggressive approach earned her an early break, but the first set proved to be anything but straightforward. A combination of early-season jitters from Keys and some inspired play from Kessler transformed the match into a genuine battle. Imagine the scene: humid conditions, intense rallies, and the pressure of a first match of the year hanging heavy in the air.
Keys had never previously faced Kessler, currently ranked number 31 in the world, on the WTA tour. The 26-year-old Kessler certainly made a statement with her resilient response to being broken early. "She's such a great player," Keys acknowledged. "She's such a great competitor, so I knew it was going to be a great match." Kessler's aggressive two-handed backhand and relentless court coverage forced Keys to work hard in the challenging humidity.
Kessler even managed to break back in the seventh game and threatened to take the lead, holding two break points in the ninth. But here's where it gets controversial... Some might argue that Keys' experience and sheer power ultimately proved to be the difference. Every time Kessler's serve sat up, Keys punished it with a dominant return, eventually converting a fifth break point to clinch the first set.
The second set began much like the first, with Kessler testing Keys' movement and forcing her to defend. Both players had early break point opportunities, but neither could capitalize. Ultimately, Keys' superior power prevailed, and she secured two breaks to seal a comfortable victory in just over an hour and a half.
"It feels amazing coming back to Australia," said Keys, who also triumphed at the Adelaide International last year. "Obviously last year was a dream come true and something that I'll remember as one of my career moments. I would obviously love a repeat of last year, but that's asking for a lot if you're asking to leave the country undefeated. That's always the goal, but so far so good."
But the big question remains: Can Madison Keys defy the odds and replicate her incredible success from 2025? Is she truly a favorite to win the Australian Open again, or will the pressure and competition prove too much? What do you think? Let us know your predictions in the comments below!
