Emma Navarro got her first victory of 2026 with a routine success over home favourite Emerson Jones at the Adelaide Open on Monday.

There were also wins for Canada's Victoria Mboko and Czechia's Marie Bouzkova at the combined WTA 500 and 250 event, with the latter knocking out Paula Badosa.

Navarro – who enjoyed her best run at the Australian Open when making the quarter-finals last year – warmed up for the 2026 edition with a 79-minute 6-3 6-3 success over 17-year-old Jones.

Either Yulia Putintseva or Dalma Galfi awaits Navarro in the second round, with the American bouncing back from a surprise defeat to Francesca Jones in Auckland last week, having been seeded second for that tournament.

"It's nice to get a win under my belt in 2026," Navarro said in her on-court interview.  "I had a pretty long offseason, so I'm happy to be back competing. 

"Tough contest today. I think you guys have got a good one in Emerson. She challenged me a good bit, and I think she's going to be a really great player."

Control from start to finish #EmmaNavarro powers through Round 1!#AdelaideInternational pic.twitter.com/pe2oFVE8u4

— wta (@WTA) January 12, 2026

Mboko, meanwhile, had to come from behind to beat Beatriz Haddad Maia, eventually triumphing 5-7 6-3 6-2 after just over two hours of play.

Bouzkova also rallied after losing the opening set against Badosa, triumphing 3-6 6-3 6-4 to set a meeting with third seed Mirra Andreeva for Tuesday.

Australia's Ajla Tomljanovic advanced, though not in the manner she would have envisaged as fifth seed Clara Tauson was forced to retire from their matchup due to injury, having lost the opening set.

Data Debrief: Navarro steps up preparations

It was not the cleanest performance from Navarro, who only served at 61% throughout Monday's match and gave up four break points to her 17-year-old foe, saving two.

But she held firm to get up and running for this year, generating 13 break points and converting five as she prepares for a tilt at Melbourne Park – her win rate of 75% at the Australian Open (6-2) is her best at any grand slam.