Australian Open: Peyton Stearns upsets Sofia Kenin

American tennis player Peyton Stearns had an unusual request from a fan at the Australian Open as she went on to upset No. 27 Sofia Kenin in straight sets Monday, 6-3, 6-2.

Stearns wrote on social media that she wanted the fan who “barked” at her to do so again when she takes on Croatian Petra Marcinko in the second round.

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“Whoever barked at me during my match today please keep it up for the next round,” she wrote on X.

The barking may have been the motivation for Stearns, 24, who is making just his third ever Australian Open appearance. She had 15 aces and was 3-of-7 on break points against Kenin.

Kenin had four double faults and couldn’t seem to find a rhythm to outscore Stearns.

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Sofia Kenin of the United States plays a forehand return to compatriot Peyton Stearns during their first round match at the Australian Open tennis championships in Melbourne, Australia, Monday, Jan. 19, 2026. (AP Photo/Aaron Favila)

Stearns made her Women’s Tennis Association debut in 2021 at the Silicon Valley Classic as an alternate in the doubles draw. A year later, she was a wildcard entry in the US Open.

Stearns has one WTA title in her career. She won five tournaments on the International Tennis Federation circuit and finished runner-up four times.

Peyton Stearns of the United States plays a forehand return to compatriot Sofia Kenin during their first round match at the Australian Open tennis championships in Melbourne, Australia, Monday, Jan. 19, 2026. (AP Photo/Aaron Favila)

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At the Australian Open in the last two years, Stearns has only reached the first round. She lost to Emma Navarro last year and Daria Kasatkina in 2024.