Madison Keys launched her Australian Birth title defence with a 7-6(6) 6-1 accept over Ukrainian Stout Slam debutant Oleksandra Oliynykova to realize the second round at Melbourne Park on Tuesday (January 20, 2026).
Keys found herself in danger early on at Rod Laver Arena, conceding a double destroy with untimely double faults, and whereas she drew level at 4-4 the American was then dragged loyal into a tiebreak where Oliynykova triggered more chaos alongside with her deep, looping photography.
The brave Ukrainian brought up two space parts nonetheless Keys erased the deficit with some trademark mammoth-hitting to indirectly snatch a tense tiebreak, punctuating her salvage away with a yowl.
The shift in momentum was confirmed when ninth seed Keys went ahead 3-0 within the second space and the 30-one year-aged wrapped up the accept on serve to space up a second-round meeting with fellow American Ashlyn Krueger.
Tjen first Indonesian to accept at Australian Birth in 28 years
Janice Tjen called it “special” after she pulled off an upset to turn out to be the first Indonesian to accept a match at the Australian Birth in 28 years on Tuesday (January 20, 2026).
Unseeded Tjen nervous Canadian Twenty second seed Leylah Fernandez 6-2, 7-6 (7/1) to surge into the second round in Melbourne and add to her rising record of milestones.
Tjen, who this time final one year was ranked 413 nonetheless is now the enviornment quantity 59, is the first Indonesian to accept a match at the necessary since Yayuk Basuki in 1998.
Indonesia’s Janice Tjen of Indonesia reacts all over her first round match towards Leylah Fernandez of Canada at the Australian Birth tennis championship in Melbourne, Australia, on January 20, 2026
| Photo Credit:
AP
“I’m more than pleased to be a element of historical past and have the selection to salvage a accept here for Indonesia,” mentioned the 23-one year-aged.
“It was special, especially being in a position to function it in entrance of my family here and there had been rather just a few Indonesians, and my shut chums are furthermore here.”
Requested by AFP how her life had changed off court since a step forward 2025, she mentioned: “I salvage recognised a microscopic bit bit here and there and I hold about it’s good, it’s a nice feeling to be recognised.”
In entrance of the vocal Indonesia fans Tjen made a lightning beginning up, sealing the first space in 36 minutes to disappear her bigger-ranked opponent from Canada reeling.
Tjen seized an early destroy within the second space to position 2021 US Birth runner-up Fernandez straight away on the support foot.
The fourth sport of the second space threatened to be pivotal, Tjen digging herself out of a gap on her hold serve to preserve and skedaddle 3-1 up.
The 23-one year-aged Fernandez fought support, reeling off three games in a row to expose the tide.
The struggling with duo headed loyal into a tiebreak, where Tjen powered loyal into a 3-0 lead and never appeared support, letting out a mighty yowl when victory was confirmed.
Tjen’s profession took off in 2025.
She pulled off one more shock in upsetting Russian 24th seed Veronika Kudermetova as a qualifier at the US Birth.
In Unusual York she was the first Indonesian to play within the principle singles plan of a Stout Slam since 2004.
The Jakarta native lifted the title in Chennai final one year — the first Indonesian to accept a WTA Tour singles crown since 2002.
Reflecting on the serve in Melbourne of Indonesia fans waving their crimson and white flag and chanting, Tjen mentioned: “It’s one thing special and feels a microscopic bit bit love dwelling.
“Shining that rather just a few Indonesians got here out to serve me this day capability plenty.”
Dad-to-be Ruud willing to stroll away
Casper Ruud is focusing on a fourth Stout Slam closing at the Australian Birth, nonetheless he is willing to drag the pin and construct a furious speed dwelling if he gets a name from his closely pregnant partner.
The 12th-seeded Norwegian is into the second round at Melbourne Park nonetheless admits his focal point is now not completely on the occasion.
Wife Maria is waiting for their first microscopic one any day and he is willing to descend everything to be alongside with her for the beginning.
“I undoubtedly favor to thank Maria for letting me skedaddle within the first design. I know she’s at dwelling resting, getting willing,” mentioned Ruud, who has made finals twice at the French Birth and as soon as at the US Birth.
“Apart from for when I’m playing a match, the ringer (on my phone) is on all hours of the day loyal in case.
“If she goes into labour I doubtlessly won’t be here the next day,” he added.
“However that’s the model it goes. There’s more to life than loyal tennis, nonetheless I’m going to be here for so long as I can and so long as Maria lets me.”
Oldschool world quantity two Ruud performs Spain’s Jaume Munar within the second round.
