The WTA season has officially kicked off in Auckland, and the 2026 ASB Classic is already serving up intrigue, drama, and a healthy dose of anticipation as players shake off the off-season rust. Day 1 has brought together a fascinating mix of seasoned campaigners and hungry up-and-comers, each eager to set the tone for the year on the fast Auckland hard courts. The spotlight, however, shines brightest on the much-anticipated Round of 32 clash between Sloane Stephens and Renata Zarazua—a matchup that’s got fans and analysts alike buzzing.
Sloane Stephens, a former ASB Classic champion and Grand Slam winner, finds herself in a challenging spot as she faces Mexico’s Renata Zarazua. Stephens, once a fixture in the world’s top 10, has seen her results fluctuate in recent seasons, and her recent hard-court form leaves plenty of questions. In her last four tournaments on this surface, Stephens has gone winless, posting a 0-4 record. Her service and return stats over the past year—43.6% of service games won and 24.4% of return games—suggest that she’s searching for the rhythm that once made her so dangerous.
"I know what I'm capable of, but it's about putting it together on the day," Stephens reflected in a recent interview, echoing the sentiments of many players as they navigate the early days of a new season. The American’s efficiency on break points—converting 10 of 20 opportunities for a 50% success rate—shows that she can still seize chances when they come, but the challenge is sustaining that level across a full match.
Her most recent outing, a straight-sets defeat to Lucrezia Stefanini at the Abierto Zapopan (4-6, 6-4, 1-6), was a tough pill to swallow and did little to bolster her confidence heading into Auckland. Adding to the pressure, Stephens lost in the first round of the ASB Classic last year to Ann Li, despite having lifted the trophy here in 2016. The ghosts of early exits are undoubtedly on her mind as she takes to the court this week.
On the other side of the net, Renata Zarazua arrives with a slight edge, at least if the oddsmakers are to be believed. BetMGM Sportsbook has Zarazua listed as a -450 favorite, while Stephens is the clear underdog at +310. The numbers reflect not just Stephens’ recent struggles but also Zarazua’s steady, if unspectacular, progress on the hard courts. The Mexican, currently ranked No. 77, boasts an 11-14 win-loss record on this surface over the past year. She’s won 62.6% of her service games and 36% of her return games, with a break-point conversion rate of 50.8%—good enough for 70th in the rankings.
Zarazua’s last tournament saw her reach the semifinals of the SP Open, where she was ultimately ousted by Tiantsoa Sarah Rakotomanga Rajaonah in straight sets (3-6, 2-6). While she’s still searching for her maiden hard-court title, Zarazua’s consistency and competitive spirit have made her a tough out for anyone on tour. At 28, she’s entering what many consider the prime years for a tennis professional, and a strong showing in Auckland could set the tone for her season.
History, though, gives Zarazua an extra boost of confidence. She leads their head-to-head 1-0, with their only previous meeting coming on hard courts in a major tournament. That victory will no doubt be fresh in her mind as she looks to repeat the feat. Stephens, for her part, will be desperate to turn the tables and rediscover the form that once made her a fixture in the late stages of big events.
Day 1 in Auckland isn’t just about Stephens and Zarazua, though. The tournament has already seen some intriguing matchups and predictions. Xinyu Wang, known for her flat groundstrokes and calm demeanor on fast courts, is favored to get past Caty McNally in their first-ever meeting. Wang’s ability to control rallies and maintain depth is expected to limit McNally’s opportunities to inject variety and disrupt the rhythm. The consensus is that Wang should advance in straight sets.
Elsewhere, Peyton Stearns is tipped to make a statement against Kaitlin Quevedo. Stearns’ aggressive baseline game and efficient point construction have served her well on hard courts, and she’s expected to handle Quevedo’s challenge with relative ease. The prediction: Stearns in two sets.
The draw also features a battle between Panna Udvardy and Sara Bejlek, both seeking to build early momentum. Udvardy, while experienced, doesn’t count hard courts as her strongest surface, often relying on consistency rather than outright aggression. Bejlek, on the other hand, has shown flashes of brilliance on the hard stuff, and if she can manage her errors, she’s expected to edge out Udvardy in three sets.
But all eyes will inevitably return to Stephens and Zarazua. The American’s projected path in Auckland is no cakewalk. If she manages to get past Zarazua, she could face Xinyu Wang or Caty McNally in the next round—two players she has positive head-to-head records against, but neither can be taken lightly. Further down the line, possible matchups loom with Emma Navarro, Alexandra Eala, or even Elina Svitolina, another former top-10 player and a familiar rival. Stephens holds a 3-2 career edge over Svitolina, including 2-0 on hard courts in major tournaments, but both players are still searching for their first win of 2026.
As the action unfolds, the Tennis Channel will provide live coverage, allowing fans to witness every twist and turn. For Stephens, Auckland represents a chance at redemption and a much-needed confidence boost. For Zarazua, it’s an opportunity to prove that her steady progress can translate into big-stage success. With both players hungry for a turnaround after recent setbacks, this opening-round clash promises plenty of fireworks.
Will Stephens rediscover the spark that made her a champion, or will Zarazua continue her head-to-head dominance? The answers will come soon enough, but one thing’s certain—Auckland’s hard courts are once again the proving ground for ambition, resilience, and the relentless pursuit of tennis glory.
