Janice Tjen Challenged Peyton Stearns in the First Round of the 2026 Italian Open

JAKARTA - Indonesia's mainstay women's tennis player, Janice Tjen, is confirmed to face the United States, Peyton Stearns, in the first round of the 2026 Italian Open WTA 1000.

The certainty was after the draw for the tournament which took place on May 5-17, 2026 was held on Monday, May 4, 2026, afternoon WIB. This is the sixth WTA 1000 tournament that the 23-year-old has participated in so far this year's calendar.

This is the first clash between Janice and Peyton in the WTA Tour calendar. On paper, Janice is ranked 40th in the world, while her opponent is in 49th place.

This tournament in Rome is an opportunity for Janice to rise after previously having to be content with ending his journey in the second round of the Madrid Open 2026 which just ended last week.

Janice's Madrid campaign stopped in the second round after she suffered a defeat against 20th-ranked Russian Liudmila Samsonova.

In the match which took place at the Caja Magica 8 Court on Friday last week, Janice surrendered in the two-set match which ended with a score of 6-2 and 6-1.

Janice's resistance was not enough to dampen Samsonova's toughness, who appeared very solid from the start of the match in the WTA 1000 level tournament. Now, Janice's focus is entirely on the Foro Italico clay to improve his achievements in the Blue Continent.

In addition to Madrid, Janice also appeared in the WTA 1000 at the Qatar Open, Dubai Championship, Indian Wells, and Miami. His farthest journey in those five occasions was reaching the third round in Dubai.

If he succeeds in passing the first round test in Italy, Janice is sure to immediately meet Madison Keys. The American tennis player is ranked 17th and got a blank draw in the first round.

On the Janice line there is also the junior player Victoria Mboko who has the status of the 10th seed. If he reaches the third round, the Canadian player will be Janice's next test.