Iga Swiatek was made to work laborious by a Chinese language qualifier within the Australian Open first spherical, however finally managed to beat Yuan Yue in two units 7-6 (5) 6-3.
Yuan, who’s ranked at No. 130 on the earth, began strongly after taking the opening two video games of the match. Whereas the No. 2 seed managed to get the break again within the sixth sport, the Chinese language saved urgent and went up by a break as soon as once more.
Down 4-5 and needing to interrupt Yuan to remain within the first set, Swiatek got here up with the products and leveled the opener to 5 video games apiece.
Tremendous Iga strikes 🦸♀️ to make it 5-5 within the first set!@wwos • @espn • @tntsports • @wowowtennis • #AO26 pic.twitter.com/9iYz2GE6A2
— #AusOpen (@AustralianOpen) January 19, 2026
Then, late within the tie-break, Swiatek gained two consecutive factors to open a 6-4 lead earlier than realizing her second set level to win the primary set that lasted almost an hour.
The entire momentum shifted the Pole's method, who began the second set with back-to-back breaks and a 3-0 lead. Yuan managed to get one break again within the fourth sport, however nonetheless misplaced in two units after shedding her serve as soon as once more within the ninth sport.
Merely very good, Swiatek 😍
7-6 (5), 6-3, and Iga is thru to the second spherical!@wwos • @espn • @tntsports • @wowowtennis • #AO26 pic.twitter.com/Ej6l2GjNPK
— #AusOpen (@AustralianOpen) January 19, 2026
Swiatek struggled with errors, however nonetheless bought the job completed in two units
It was actually not the cleanest efficiency from the six-time Grand Slam champion, who had 24 winners and 45 unforced errors. Nevertheless, it was simply the primary match and the previous world No. 1 will seemingly look to appropriate some issues going into her second-round match towards Marie Bouzkova.
In the meantime, by beating Yuan, Swiatek ended her two-match shedding streak – she was overwhelmed by Coco Gauff and Belinda Bencic in her final two United Cup matches.
