Melbourne, Jan 19 (UNI) World No.2 Iga Swiatek overcame a stern opening-round test to begin her Australian Open 2026 campaign with a hard-fought 7-6(5), 6-3 victory over Chinese qualifier Yuan Yue under the lights at Rod Laver Arena on Monday night.
The six-time Grand Slam champion was forced to dig deep after a shaky start, as Yuan’s fearless ball-striking pushed the second seed onto the back foot early in the contest. Swiatek trailed 3-5 in the opening set before regaining composure, breaking back at a crucial moment and eventually edging a tense tiebreak.
Yuan, ranked 130 in the world but a former top-40 player, broke Swiatek in the opening game and twice held the upper hand in the first set, even serving for it at 5-4. However, the Pole raised her level when it mattered most, producing a series of clutch winners to turn the momentum.
Having escaped the first set, Swiatek found greater rhythm in the second, breaking twice to race to a 3-0 lead. Yuan briefly threatened to extend the contest despite receiving treatment for a back issue, but the four-time French Open champion maintained her intensity to close out the match in exactly two hours.
The victory eases concerns over Swiatek’s form following recent defeats at the United Cup and sets up a second-round meeting with Czech player Marie Bouzkova. Swiatek is bidding for her maiden Australian Open title, which would make her the seventh woman in the Open Era to complete a career Grand Slam.
Despite the early scare, the Pole will take confidence from her ability to navigate a difficult opening match and progress into the second round at Melbourne Park.
In another women’s singles match, Mirra Andreeva continued her strong start to the 2026 season with a gritty comeback win over Donna Vekic. The 18-year-old recovered from a set down to defeat the experienced Croatian 4-6, 6-3, 6-0 under the lights at Melbourne Park.
The victory reflected Andreeva’s improved mindset after a difficult end to last season, when an emotional Asian swing derailed her push for a place at the WTA Finals. Fresh from winning the Adelaide International, the teenager showed resilience and patience to weather early pressure before gradually asserting control.
Vekic, an Olympic silver medallist and former Grand Slam semifinalist, drew first blood with her powerful forehand to claim the opening set despite Andreeva racing to an early lead. The Russian steadied in the second set, raising her first-serve percentage and benefiting as Vekic’s error count increased to level the match.
From there, Andreeva dominated the contest. The third set lasted just 29 minutes, with Vekic winning only four points as unforced errors crept into her game and Andreeva surged ahead with confidence and clarity.
The win snapped Andreeva’s six-match losing streak at majors after dropping the first set and marked her second comeback victory over Vekic. She now advances to a second-round clash with former world No.3 Maria Sakkari as she looks to build on her growing momentum at Australian Open 2026.
