Day 3 of the 2026 Australian Open: Sinner Extends Winning Streak to 15; Wang Xinyu and Wu Yibing Advance, Zhang Shuai Defeated

On January 20th, the third day of the 2026 Australian Open unfolded, concluding the first round of both men's and women's singles. Among the three Chinese players competing today, two secured victories while one suffered defeat: Wang Xinyu defeated qualifier Kalinina in straight sets and will face 24th seed Ostapenko; Wu Yibing overcame Italian Nardi in four sets and is set to play Spizzirri; Zhang Shuai fought hard but lost in three sets to local wildcard Preston.

Wang Xinyu

Wu Yibing

Zhang Shuai

Making his debut at Rod Laver Arena, two-time defending men's singles champion Sinner advanced comfortably, winning two sets 6-2 and 6-1 in 68 minutes before his opponent Gaston retired. This marks Sinner's 15th consecutive singles win at the Australian Open. In the second round, he will face local wildcard Duckworth. Chinese player Wu Yibing is also in the same section and, if victorious in his next match, could meet the second seed in the third round.

Sinner

Last year's semifinalist and 8th seed Shelton won a key match against French star Humbert with scores of 6-3, 7-6(2), 7-6(5). He will next face qualifier Sweeny, who eliminated Monfils. The 5th seed Musetti received a retirement gift from Cori Gauff while leading 4-6, 7-6(3), 7-5, 3-2 and will play last year's quarterfinalist Sonego in the next round.

Shelton

9th seed Fritz defeated Ruud 7-6(5), 5-7, 6-1, 6-3; 15th seed Khachanov narrowly beat American rising star Mickelson 4-6, 6-4, 6-3, 5-7, 6-3; 16th seed Menchik overcame Busta 7-5, 4-6, 2-6, 7-6(1), 6-3; 22nd seed Darderi triumphed over Garin 7-6(5), 7-5, 7-6(3), all advancing smoothly past the first round.

Hurkacz

Dimitrov

Polish star Hurkacz defeated Belgian player Verdasco 6-7(6), 7-6(6), 6-3, 6-3, securing his first Grand Slam main draw win in a year. Meanwhile, 28th seed Brazilian newcomer Fonseca surprisingly lost 4-6, 6-2, 1-6, 2-6 to Spizzirri, exiting in the first round. Bulgarian veteran Dimitrov struggled and was eliminated by Czech player Machac 4-6, 4-6, 3-6.

Naomi Osaka

Keys

In the women's singles, defending champion Keys faced a tense start, trailing 0-4 and facing two set points in the first-set tiebreak, but she managed to fend them off and turn the match around, eventually winning 7-6(6), 6-1. Two-time champion Naomi Osaka made a grand night appearance and fought through three sets to beat Ruzici 6-3, 3-6, 6-4, advancing to face Romanian veteran Costea, who came back from behind to defeat Lis 3-6, 6-4, 6-3.

Rybakina

Former finalist and 5th seed Rybakina won her first-round match 6-4, 6-3 over Juvan, marking her seventh successful first-round pass at the Australian Open. 10th seed Bencic defeated British player Bolt 6-0, 7-5; 24th seed Ostapenko eliminated Schramkova 6-4, 6-4; 31st seed Kalinskaya beat Qatar’s player 7-6(3), 6-1, all advancing smoothly.

Bencic

Returning from injury, former world No.1 Karolina Pliskova faced former US Open champion Stephens on Kia Arena, holding off a comeback in the first set to win 7-6(7), 6-2 and secure a strong start. Meanwhile, 18th seed Samsonova squandered match points while leading 6-0, 5-2 and was upset by German veteran Siegemund 6-0, 5-7, 4-6. Additionally, 22nd seed Fernandez, 30th seed Jontte, Kasatkina, and last week’s WTA Hobart champion Kochereto were all eliminated.

Complete Results from Day 3 of the 2026 Australian Open

(Text and editing by: Dato)