Swiatek once again finds herself at the center of an octopus interference controversy, while Wu Yibing fights hard but narrowly loses and collapses with cramps after the match.

In the second round of the 2026 Australian Open at Rod Laver Arena, world No. 2 Swiatek easily overcame Czech opponent Buzkova 6-2, 6-3. This victory marked Swiatek’s 24th straight Grand Slam reaching at least the last 32, though a disputed point during the match drew considerable attention.

During the first set, Swiatek broke serve in the second game. Although Buzkova quickly broke back in the third game, Swiatek soon regained control and took the set 6-2.

In the second set, Buzkova showed resilience by breaking Swiatek’s serve in the third game to lead 3-1. However, as the tournament’s second seed, Swiatek adjusted her play, rallied from 1-3 down, won five consecutive games, and closed out the set 6-3.

The entire match lasted only 1 hour and 19 minutes. Afterward, Swiatek improved their head-to-head record to 3-0. She will face 31st seed Kalinskaya in the next round, marking their second consecutive Grand Slam third-round meeting following last year’s US Open.

The focal point of the match came in the seventh game of the first set. Swiatek executed an incredible reverse spin slice, causing the ball to bounce back into her own court after landing in Buzkova’s side. In a desperate attempt, Buzkova reached over the net to hit the ball, making contact but losing balance and touching the net before the point ended, resulting in a fault according to the rules.

After losing the point, Buzkova did not accept the call quietly. She immediately appealed to the chair umpire, claiming that Swiatek’s racket swing interfered with her attempt to play the ball.

Notably, this was not the first time Swiatek faced scrutiny for such behavior. She has previously been involved in similar controversies and even issued an apology. After reviewing the VAR footage, the umpire upheld the original decision, finding no interference by Swiatek, leaving Buzkova to accept the outcome with a wry smile.

This controversial point quickly went viral on social media and was dubbed by some tennis media as “the first disputed highlight of the 2026 Australian Open.”

Opinions among fans about Swiatek’s controversial shot varied. Many believed her “racket swing interference” was a recurring problem: “She really should change that habit. No wonder people call her the octopus. Even if it wasn’t penalized this time, it affects the fairness of the match.”

Others held a different view: “The umpire reviewed the replay and didn’t call interference, so there was none. Swiatek’s reverse spin slice was truly impressive and required exceptional skill.”

Meanwhile, in a men’s singles match, Chinese player Wu Yibing battled Spizzirri in a five-set thriller. After losing the first two sets, Wu fought back, winning the third set in a tiebreak and taking the fourth 6-4 to push the match to a decider. At 2-3 in the final set, during a crucial 40-40 point on his serve, Wu felt discomfort in his lower back as he served an ace. He then committed a double fault and, upon landing, was unable to maintain balance, leading to cramps in his right leg, followed by his left leg and abdominal muscles, ultimately losing the final set 3-6.

After the match, Wu collapsed on the ground, waiting for medical assistance before painfully getting up and limping off the court.

Post-match, Wu explained the cause of his cramps in detail: “I played three rounds of qualifying, which was very physically demanding, and I was also severely ill with a cold. I believe if it weren’t for the illness and the earlier matches, the cramps wouldn’t have been this bad.”

After urgent treatment, Wu’s condition improved somewhat: “I drank two bottles of pickle juice, which made me feel a bit better. It should help relieve the cramps.” Pickle juice is commonly used by athletes to ease muscle spasms due to its electrolytes and sodium content.

Despite the disappointing loss, Wu’s journey from qualifying rounds to the second round of the main draw was a commendable achievement. This five-set battle showcased his fighting spirit and determination despite physical discomfort.

Fans widely praised and supported Wu’s performance: “Coming through qualifying while sick and pushing to five sets is already impressive!” “Seeing him cramp and collapse was heartbreaking; hope he recovers well.”

Wu’s valiant effort earned him respect from fans. Battling through qualifiers, playing while ill, and fighting until cramps struck demonstrated the perseverance of a professional athlete. His candid explanation of the cramps after the match was sincere and open.

One match was an easy victory but sparked controversy; another was a heartbreaking defeat that earned admiration. These moments at the Australian Open capture the essence of tennis—the display of top-level skill alongside the shining resilience of human spirit.(Source: Tennis Home, Author: Lu Xiaotian)