Adelaide International 2025 – Qualifying Round-Up: Fernandez, Sakkari and Bencic take the first step
WTA
The Adelaide International qualifiers feature an impressive line-up of players, including Leylah Fernandez, Maria Sakkari, and Belinda Bencic, all vying for a spot in the tournament's main draw. With such high-profile players failing to secure direct entry, the competition for qualification has drawn significant attention.
Interestingly, players like Fernandez and Sakkari have secured their position as Australian Open seeds, but did not qualify directly for this WTA 500.
In the opening round of qualifiers, the favourites largely delivered. Leylah Fernandez (No. 31) cruised past Jodie Burrage in straight sets and will face Irina-Camelia Begu (No. 79) next for a place in the main draw. Similarly, Katerina Siniakova (No. 45) defeated Cristina Bucsa (No. 103) in straight sets and will now take on Ashlyn Krueger (No. 64), a recent quarterfinalist in Brisbane.
Read also
Other top seeds advancing include Xinyu Wang (No. 37), Kamila Rakhimova (No. 60), and Marie Bouzkova (No. 44). A standout match in the final qualifying round will see wildcard Maria Sakkari (No. 32) face American rising star Peyton Stearns (No. 47). Sakkari benefited from Saizai Zheng’s (No. 692) retirement while leading 6-2, 4-0, while Stearns dominated Norway’s Malene Helgo (No. 404).
Another wildcard was granted to Belinda Bencic (No. 489), making her tour return after a year-long maternity break. The Swiss star defeated ninth seed Moyuka Uchijima (No. 62) comfortably in straight sets and will face Germany’s Laura Siegemund (No. 80) next.
This Saturday, the six qualifiers who will join the star-studded main draw—featuring 14 players from the top 20, including Jessica Pegula, Emma Navarro, Danielle Collins, Paula Badosa, Barbora Krejcikova, and Mirra Andreeva—will be determined.
Day 1 of qualifying is all wrapped up! 💥
— Adelaide International (@AdelaideTennis) January 4, 2025
Find the full results via our website: https://t.co/Hq31fDlFbX
See you tomorrow when qualifying resumes 👀#AdelaideTennis pic.twitter.com/qGxetkDrPv
Cristhián AvilaTennis Journalist
Cristhián Ávila is a tennis journalist based in Santiago, Chile, and has been part of the TennisUpToDate team since early 2023. He covers the ATP and WTA Tours as well as all four Grand Slams, producing breaking news, match reports, analysis, and regular liveblogs from major tournaments.
His reporting combines statistical analysis with clear explanation, helping readers understand tactical developments, player form, and broader storylines across the tour. Working fluently in both Spanish and English, Cristhián collaborates with an international editorial team and contributes to comprehensive global coverage. As part of his work, he has conducted interviews and media interactions with leading figures in the sport, including Caroline Wozniacki and John McEnroe.
In his journalism, Cristhián places strong emphasis on careful sourcing, editorial accuracy, and updating articles promptly when new, verified information becomes available. His coverage is grounded in research, context, and direct engagement with professional tennis.
claps 0visitors 0
Just In
Popular News
Latest Comments
- I, like writer of this wonderful article, also picked Noskova to win this entire thing. I would love it if she and Andreeva are in the final.Rapunzel12-11-2026
- "Priorities", Saba... spend less time in front of cameras, anti-Social Media, selfies and back to Tennis.
mandoist12-11-2026 - Tell this to Andreeva!mandoist12-11-2026
- Andreeva with 11 games in a row to add to Saba's downward spiral issue !!! Personal feelings aside... Jess Pegula may want to reassess her evaluation of Mirra's abilities.mandoist12-11-2026
- I predicted whenthe list was finalised that Linda Noskova would win the WTA Finals and her matches against Gauff and Kostyuk prove that. She is the best (underrated) player in the world!Rapunzel11-11-2026
- Either Lena has a chronic internal ailment (i.e., colitis, enteritis, Crohn's, or some type of lower abdomen issue) -- or she is once again dealing with 'Vukovitis'. Mental stress can indeed cause lower body pains. No matter... whatever is truly going on sucks. "Virus" excuse is getting a bit old -- and often -- at this point.mandoist09-11-2026
- Ironically, Martina became a U.S. Citizen about the same time as the Orange Convicted Felon & Abuser was just beginning on his road to losing all Daddy's Millions!!mandoist09-11-2026
- "Another fresh start is in the cards." Thanks for the Humor!! I'm guessing this is the minimum one can do to keep all your sponsors hanging-on in perpetuity?mandoist09-11-2026
- Vukov is doing this to Lena... AGAIN!!!!! WTA's autonomous collective should be dismantled for allowing Vukov to re-emerge from his hand-slapping suspension. Just ask WTA employees how that's been going lately as they witness his continued verbal abuses. Women's Pro Tennis should start over.mandoist08-11-2026
- Can't help but suspect Vukov is back to his old self again. Thank you, WTA. Perhaps you can give them a "Battling Couple of the Year Award 2026" ??mandoist08-11-2026
