Australian Open: Yamaguchi Heads Field on Long-Awaited Return
Akane Yamaguchi will headline the SATHIO GROUP Australian Open 2026 – returning to the tournament nine years after finishing runner-up to compatriot Nozomi Okuhara in 2017.
· BWF STAFF
The world No.3 starts as the top seed, just days after contesting her third final in four weeks in Jakarta. Yamaguchi, who won Thailand Open on 17 May and finished runner-up at the Singapore and Indonesia Opens, begins her campaign against Chinese Taipei's Huang Ching Ping on Wednesday.
The Japanese star is the clear favourite given her recent form, with only Pusarla V. Sindhu and Pornpawee Chochuwong joining her among the world’s top 10 players in the draw. With Chochuwong in the bottom half, Pusarla represents her toughest test in the top 16 bracket.
In men’s singles, Chinese Taipei teammates Chou Tien Chen and Lin Chun-Yi are the leading contenders, particularly following the withdrawals of fourth seed Loh Kean Yew and sixth seed Ayush Shetty. Indonesia’s seeded hopes in men’s doubles – Fajar Alfian/Muhammad Shohibul Fikri (1) and Raymod Indra/Nikolaus Joaquin (5) have also pulled out.