ON
← Back to feed
Aussie qualifer completes rare grand slam feat
Australia⚽ Sports9/1/2026

Aussie qualifer completes rare grand slam feat

Australian tennis player Storm Hunter has achieved a rare milestone by becoming the only active Australian to qualify for all four Grand Slam tournaments. Hunter qualified for the US Open main draw for the first time since 2023, overcoming challenges including a 24-hour weather delay and defeating compatriot Maddison Inglis in a tightly contested match. Now 32 years old, Hunter returns to the US Open after recovering from an Achilles tendon injury that kept her out of competition for over a year. She will face Marta Kostyuk, a French Open and Wimbledon semifinalist, in the first round. Hunter expressed confidence despite acknowledging the difficulty of the match, noting that Kostyuk is a strong competitor. Other Australian players competing on the opening day include Kim Birrell, Talia Gibson, Taylah Preston, Adam Walton, and Aleksandar Vukic.

Australia’s women’s team showed remarkable resilience and determination at the US Open, with several players overcoming challenges to advance to the second round. Among them were Kim Birrell and James Duckworth, who delivered standout performances, while young talents such as Taylah Preston and Maya Joint also contributed to a promising display of national strength. Meanwhile, the men’s side faced mixed results, with some players struggling despite the presence of sixth seed Alex de Minaur. Kim Birrell, 28, finally broke her first-round jinx at the US Open after a long history of early exits. Her journey to victory over Croatia’s Petra Marcinko was anything but easy. The match, delayed due to rain, saw Birrell come from a set down and a set and a mini-break deficit in the second-set tiebreak. After saving a match point, she eventually clinched the third set 6-3 to secure her first-ever win at Flushing Meadows. This achievement marks a significant milestone in her career, especially considering she had previously undergone two career-threatening elbow surgeries. Now, having won at least one match at all four Grand Slams, Birrell is poised to take on Russian world number 19 Ekaterina Alexandrova in the next round. James Duckworth, a veteran returning from a lengthy hiatus, also made a triumphant return to the US Open. The 34-year-old, who had not won at the tournament in four years, defeated Italy’s No.30 seed Matteo Arnaldi in a grueling four-set match. The victory came after Duckworth overcame a 4-1 deficit in the fourth set, saving six set points. His performance included 16 aces and a dramatic tiebreak in which he unleashed a flurry of forehands to seal his second match point. With nine surgeries and a drop in his career-best ranking, Duckworth is showing signs of a possible resurgence, aiming for a top-50 ranking once again. Meanwhile, Taylah Preston, the wildcard who had already won at the Australian Open earlier this year, continued her upward trajectory by defeating American Alycia Parks 6-3, 6-3. The 20-year-old, ranked 89th in the world, showcased composure and precision throughout the match. Despite Parks' aggressive play and occasional lapses, Preston maintained control, committing significantly fewer unforced errors. Her win marked her second Grand Slam success and solidified her position as a key figure in Australia’s emerging women’s talent pool. Maya Joint, another rising star, also progressed to the second round after a hard-fought victory over Russian Liudmila Samsonova. Joint, who had previously fallen to Samsonova in Toronto, bounced back with a 3-6, 6-2, 6-2 win. The 20-year-old, born in Michigan, had struggled with consistency but showed renewed confidence in her recent matches. Her performance highlighted her ability to adapt and recover, particularly after a difficult period where she lost 13 of 14 matches. Joint’s next challenge will be against Ukrainian ninth seed Elina Svitolina. Other Australians faced tougher battles. Talia Gibson nearly pulled off an upset against Croatia’s Donna Vekic but ultimately fell 6-2, 4-6, 6-3. Gibson, who had surged into the top 100, displayed resilience during the match, mounting a comeback after a shaky start. However, Vekic’s inconsistent serving and emotional state allowed Gibson to push the match to a tense finish. Similarly, Aleksandar Vukic’s match against Japan’s Rei Sakamoto was suspended due to rain, leaving him in a precarious position. As the tournament progresses, the focus shifts to the remaining Australians yet to complete their matches. Storm Hunter, the only active Australian to qualify for all four Grand Slams, will face 11th seed Marta Kostyuk in the first round. Hunter, 32, has returned to competitive play after a prolonged absence due to injury and is eager to embrace the challenge. Other Australians, including Adam Walton and Aleksandar Vukic, will continue their campaigns, adding to the growing narrative of Australia’s resurgence in international tennis.

How this report was made. Objective News wrote this report from 3 source articles, using AI-assisted synthesis under our methodology. It is our own text, not a copy of any single outlet. Read our methodology.

Responsible editor: Matej BašaSpotted an error? Report it

6 reports

ABC News (Australia) logoABC News (Australia)State / PublicCenterFactual 90Objective 908/29/2026
Aussie qualifer completes rare grand slam feat

Australian tennis player Storm Hunter has achieved a rare milestone by becoming the only active Australian to qualify for all four Grand Slam tournaments. Hunter qualified for the US Open main draw for the first time since 2023, overcoming challenges including a 24-hour weather delay and defeating compatriot Maddison Inglis in a tightly contested match. Now 32 years old, Hunter returns to the US Open after recovering from an Achilles tendon injury that kept her out of competition for over a year. She will face Marta Kostyuk, a French Open and Wimbledon semifinalist, in the first round. Hunter expressed confidence despite acknowledging the difficulty of the match, noting that Kostyuk is a strong competitor. Other Australian players competing on the opening day include Kim Birrell, Talia Gibson, Taylah Preston, Adam Walton, and Aleksandar Vukic.

Bias read (Center): The article focuses solely on sports and does not involve any political issues, figures, or policies. The content is purely about a tennis player's achievements and upcoming match, with no mention of political topics or biased language.

Why factuality (90): This article focuses solely on Storm Hunter's achievement of qualifying for all four grand slams, which is a significant and verifiable fact. It provides clear, concise information without unnecessary context or subjective commentary. The details about her qualification process and upcoming match ar

Why objectivity (90): The article is highly objective, presenting the facts about Storm Hunter's accomplishment without any emotional language or bias. It simply informs the reader about the event without adding personal interpretation or opinion.

The Age logoThe AgeIndependentCenterFactual 85Objective 759/1/2026
Birrell, Duckworth post gutsy wins at US Open as Alcaraz makes strong return

At the 2026 US Open, Australian tennis players showcased resilience and resurgence. Kim Birrell and Maya Joint both came from a set down to advance to the second round, marking significant milestones in their careers. Veteran James Duckworth secured a notable victory over Italy's Matteo Arnaldi, overcoming a fourth-set deficit with powerful play and determination. These results highlight Australia's growing presence in women's and men's tennis, with young talents like Birrell, Joint, and Taylah Preston emerging as promising stars. The performances underscore a broader trend of Australian players regaining form and climbing the global rankings.

Bias read (Center): The article focuses on sports performance and does not engage with politically charged topics such as government policies, elections, or social issues. It provides objective coverage of athletic achievements without taking a partisan stance.

Why factuality (85): This article mirrors the content of the first, reporting similar facts about the Australian players' victories and Duckworth's performance. It maintains consistency with the cross-source consensus and provides accurate match details. Like the first article, it uses subjective phrasing such as 'femal

Why objectivity (75): Similar to the first article, it presents the events in a positive light, emphasizing the achievements of Australian players. The language used is supportive and celebratory, which affects the overall objectivity score.

The Sydney Morning Herald logoThe Sydney Morning HeraldIndependentCenterFactual 85Objective 759/1/2026
Birrell, Duckworth post gutsy wins at US Open as Alcaraz makes strong return

At the 2026 US Open, Australian tennis players showcased resilience and resurgence. Kim Birrell and Maya Joint both fought back from a set down to advance to the second round, marking significant milestones in their careers. Veteran James Duckworth secured a hard-fought victory against Italy's Matteo Arnaldi, highlighting his potential return to the top 50. These performances underscore Australia's growing presence in women's and men's tennis, with young talents like Birrell, Joint, and Taylah Preston leading the charge. Their success reflects years of development and a promising future for Australian tennis.

Bias read (Center): The article focuses on sports performance and does not engage with politically charged topics. It provides balanced coverage of multiple athletes' achievements without taking a clear ideological stance.

Why factuality (85): The article accurately reports on the US Open results for Australian players, including specific details about James Duckworth's match against Matteo Arnaldi, the scores, and the context of his career resurgence. It aligns with the cross-source consensus regarding the outcomes and player performance

Why objectivity (75): The tone is generally positive and celebratory of Australian success, using phrases like 'gutsy wins' and 'blossoming prospects.' While not overtly biased, it leans toward a favorable portrayal of Australian players, which slightly reduces objectivity.

ABC News (Australia) logoABC News (Australia)State / PublicCenterFactual 80Objective 808/31/2026
Birrell saves match point as Aussies advance to US Open second rounds

Australian tennis players Kim Birrell, James Duckworth, and Taylah Preston advanced to the second round of the US Open after challenging matches. Birrell overcame a match point and a grueling 14-hour rain delay to defeat Croatia's Petra Marcinko in a three-set thriller, ending her streak of early exits. Duckworth, a resurgent veteran, staged a remarkable comeback against top-seeded Matteo Arnaldi to continue his strong performance at the Grand Slam. Other Australians like Maya Joint also progressed, while some players faced setbacks due to weather delays. The victories mark significant milestones for these athletes as they aim for deeper runs in the tournament.

Bias read (Center): The article focuses on sports outcomes and player performances without addressing politically charged issues. It provides balanced coverage of multiple players' results without taking a clear ideological stance.

Why factuality (80): The article focuses on Taylah Preston's victory and mentions other Australian players' progress, aligning with the cross-source consensus. It includes specific details about Preston's win and the broader context of Australian women's tennis. However, it briefly mentions Novak Djokovic's condition, w

Why objectivity (80): The tone remains neutral and informative, focusing on the Australian players' successes without apparent bias. It avoids emotionally charged language and presents the information objectively, though it does mention Djokovic's situation, which is tangential.

The Sydney Morning Herald logoThe Sydney Morning HeraldIndependentCenterFactual 80Objective 808/31/2026
Australian wildcard Preston scores ‘special’ US Open win, but Gibson falls short of upset

Australian tennis player Taylah Preston achieved a significant victory at the US Open, defeating American Alycia Parks in straight sets. This marks Preston's second Grand Slam win of the year and continues her rapid ascent into the world's top 100 players. Meanwhile, fellow Australian Talia Gibson narrowly lost to Croatia's Donna Vekic, falling short of an upset. Other Australian players like Aleks Vukic and Kim Birrell also faced challenges in their matches. The article highlights the growing presence of young Australian talent in women's tennis, with Preston's success contributing to ending Australia's poor start to the US Open.

Bias read (Center): The article focuses on sports events and does not involve politically charged topics such as government policies, elections, or social issues. The framing remains neutral, presenting the outcomes of tennis matches without overt ideological slant.

Why factuality (80): This article closely follows the content of the previous ones, reporting on Taylah Preston's win and the challenges faced by other Australian players. It includes accurate match details and contextual information about the state of Australian tennis. The brief mention of Djokovic is less central to

Why objectivity (80): The article maintains a neutral tone, presenting the facts without obvious bias. It covers the Australian players' performances without favoritism, keeping the focus on the competition and results.

The Age logoThe AgeIndependentCenterFactual 75Objective 858/31/2026
Australian wildcard Preston scores ‘special’ US Open win, but Gibson falls short of upset

Australian tennis player Taylah Preston achieved a significant victory at the US Open, defeating American Alycia Parks in straight sets. This marks Preston's second Grand Slam win of the year, following her success at the Australian Open. She became the sole Australian winner on the first day of the tournament, highlighting her rising status in the world rankings. Meanwhile, fellow Australian Talia Gibson narrowly lost to Croatia's Donna Vekic, falling short of an upset. Other Australian players like Aleks Vukic and Kim Birrell also faced early challenges. The article notes the growing presence of young Australian talent in women's tennis.

Bias read (Center): The article focuses on sports events and does not involve politically charged topics such as government policies, elections, or social issues. The framing remains neutral, presenting the outcomes of matches without overt ideological slant.

Why factuality (75): The article provides accurate information about Taylah Preston's win and the status of other Australian players. It includes specific details about the match and the players' backgrounds. However, it cuts off mid-sentence, which may affect completeness. The information aligns with the cross-source c

Why objectivity (85): The tone is neutral and factual, focusing on the match outcomes and player performances without injecting personal opinion or emotion. It presents the information clearly and without bias.

How each side covered it

The same event, grouped by the political lean of the outlets covering it.

How each side covered it

Support independent, bias-aware news and unlock the social pulse, community voting, and every other Supporter feature.

Become a Supporter

Covered around the world

The same event as reported in other countries.

Covered around the world

Support independent, bias-aware news and unlock the social pulse, community voting, and every other Supporter feature.

Become a Supporter

Claims check

Key factual claims, and how many sources assert vs dispute each.

Claims check

Support independent, bias-aware news and unlock the social pulse, community voting, and every other Supporter feature.

Become a Supporter

Keep the news honest.

ObjectiveNews is reader-funded and ad-free — we show you the bias instead of hiding it. Support independent journalism for €4/month.

Become a Supporter

Related stories