Australian Open 2026 Day 3 Highlights: Sinner and Keys Launch Title Defenses; Osaka Dazzles in Return; Monfils Bids Emotional Farewell
MELBOURNE – Day 3 of the 2026 Australian Open at Melbourne Park delivered a quintessential Grand Slam mix of dominance, drama, and heartfelt goodbyes. As the first round of the men’s and women’s singles concluded and the doubles action heated up in the Round of 64, fans were treated to the return of defending champions, the unveiling of bold fashion statements, and the final curtain call for a tennis legend.
On a warm Tuesday, January 20, the narratives on Rod Laver Arena and the outer courts could not have been more contrasting—from Jannik Sinner’s swift progression to Gael Monfils’ marathon farewell, and Naomi Osaka’s triumphant return to the stage she once dominated.
Men’s Singles: Sinner Cruises, Shelton Battles, and a Legend Says Goodbye
The Defending Champion Returns
All eyes were on World No. 2 Jannik Sinner, who returned to Rod Laver Arena as the two-time defending champion, aiming to join the elite club of players to win three consecutive Australian Open titles. His campaign began against France’s Hugo Gaston. Sinner, playing his first competitive match since his ATP Finals victory over Carlos Alcaraz in November, looked ominous from the start.
The Italian power-hitter controlled the baseline, taking the first two sets 6-2, 6-1 in just over an hour. Unfortunately, the match ended prematurely when Gaston retired due to an injury, unable to continue the fight against the relentless Sinner.
“I saw that he was not serving with a very, very high pace, especially in the second set,” Sinner noted post-match. “But the most important part is to go on court and enjoy it. It’s very special to start the season in a night session at a Grand Slam with a packed stadium.”.
Monfils’ Emotional Last Dance
While Sinner’s night was short, Gael Monfils gave the crowd on Kia Arena one last epic performance. Competing in his 20th and final Australian Open, the 39-year-old Frenchman engaged in a nearly four-hour battle with Australian qualifier Dane Sweeny. True to his career-long reputation as a showman, Monfils fought for every point, but ultimately fell 6-7(3), 7-5, 6-4, 7-5.
The loss marked the end of an era for the fan favorite, who received a standing ovation. “My journey started in 2003 with you guys, now we are in 2026 and somehow it’s the finish line. Thank you so much for this amazing ride,” an emotional Monfils told the Melbourne crowd.
Shelton Survives Lefty Duel
Eighth seed Ben Shelton, a semifinalist here last year, faced a stern test against fellow left-hander Ugo Humbert. In a match characterized by big serving and athletic shot-making, Shelton held his nerve in the critical moments to secure a 6-3, 7-6(2), 7-6(5) victory. The young American’s ability to find his best tennis in the tiebreaks proved to be the difference against the in-form Frenchman.
Upset Alert: Dimitrov Crashes Out
The shock of the day came on the outer courts where former World No. 3 Grigor Dimitrov was ousted by the rising Czech star Tomas Machac. Machac played fearless tennis to dismantle the Bulgarian veteran in straight sets, 6-4, 6-4, 6-3. Dimitrov struggled to find a rhythm against Machac’s aggressive baseline play, resulting in an unexpectedly early exit for the seeded contender.
Tsitsipas and Duckworth Advance
Greek star Stefanos Tsitsipas overcame a slow start to defeat Japan’s Shintaro Mochizuki. After dropping the first set, Tsitsipas found his range, reeling off the next three sets to win 4-6, 6-3, 6-2, 6-2. Meanwhile, local hope James Duckworth produced a gritty comeback against Dino Prizmic. Duckworth rallied from a set down to win a grueling five-setter, 7-6, 3-6, 1-6, 7-5, 6-3, delighting the home fans on Court 6.
Women’s Singles: Keys Survives Scare, Osaka Sparkles
Keys Digs Deep
Defending women’s champion Madison Keys faced a nightmare start to her title defense. The American found herself trailing 0-4 in the opening set against Ukraine’s Oleksandra Oliynykova. Appearing nervous and struggling with the unorthodox play of her opponent, Keys had to dig deep into her reserves of experience. She managed to claw her way back, forcing a tiebreak which she won, before dominating the second set to close out a 7-6(6), 6-1 victory.
“Obviously I was very nervous at the start,” Keys admitted. “I’m really glad to be back, and that I got through that match.”.
Osaka’s “Jellyfish” Return
Naomi Osaka, seeded 16th, made headlines before even hitting a ball, walking onto Rod Laver Arena in a spectacular outfit inspired by a jellyfish—complete with a wide-brimmed hat and veil. Once the match against Croatia’s Antonia Ruzic began, Osaka showed flashes of her championship form interspersed with tension. After breezing through the first set, she stumbled in the second, but rallied from a break down in the decider to win 6-3, 3-6, 6-4.
“I just told myself, ‘Keep your head on the path. If she beats you, then that’s unfortunate. But, hey, at least you’re trending,'” Osaka joked about the pressure of living up to her outfit.
Rybakina and Bencic Advance
Fifth seed Elena Rybakina had a much smoother day at the office, dispatching Kaja Juvan 6-4, 6-3 in a tidy 72 minutes. Her powerful serve was on full display as she moved comfortably into the second round. Similarly, Belinda Bencic put in a strong performance to defeat Great Britain’s Katie Boulter, signaling her intent for a deep run in the tournament.
Aussie Success and Heartbreak
It was a mixed day for the locals. Maddison Inglis won a three-hour epic against compatriot Kimberly Birrell, prevailing 7-6, 6-7, 6-4 in a match that finished late into the night. However, Daria Kasatkina (representing Australia) fell to young Czech talent Nikola Bartunkova in three sets, and wildcard Taylah Preston secured her first Grand Slam match win by defeating veteran Zhang Shuai.
Doubles Round of 64: Pairs Begin Their Campaigns
Day 3 also saw the commencement of the doubles events, with the Round of 64 getting underway. The doubles format often brings electrifying net play and rapid-fire exchanges, and the opening round was no exception.
In the men’s doubles, the Australian duo of Rinky Hijikata and Tristan Schoolkate fought hard but ultimately succumbed to the pair of Luke Johnson and Jan Zielinski, losing 1-2 in sets.
Other notable results from the courts included the team of Andrey Golubev and Aleksandr Nedovyesov taking on the South American pairing of Tomas Etcheverry and Camilo Ugo Carabelli, with the match completing in straight sets. Additionally, the French duo of Terence Atmane and Alexandre Muller faced off against Petr Nouza and Patrik Rikl, wrapping up their first-round encounter.
On the women’s side, the veteran Japanese specialist Shuko Aoyama paired with Poland’s Magda Linette to navigate their opening round match successfully. The doubles draw promises more excitement as the tournament progresses, with top seeds looking to establish their dominance in the coming days.
Tournament Key Features: Australian Open 2026
As the first Grand Slam of the year, the Australian Open continues to set the standard for player compensation and fan experience. Here are some of the key facts and figures for the 2026 edition:
- Tournament Dates: The main draw runs from January 18 to February 1, 2026.
- Venue: Melbourne Park, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia.
- Surface: Hard Court (GreenSet).
- Prize Money: The tournament boasts a record-breaking total prize pool of AUD $111.5 million, a 16% increase from the previous year.
- Singles Champions: The winners of the men’s and women’s singles will each receive AUD $4.15 million.
- Runners-Up: Finalists will take home AUD $2.15 million.
- Early Rounds: Even a first-round exit in the main draw guarantees a player AUD $150,000, ensuring financial sustainability for lower-ranked competitors.
- Ranking Points: Winners of the singles events receive 2000 ranking points, crucial for ATP and WTA standings.
With the first round now complete and the second round beckoning, the intensity at Melbourne Park is only set to rise. Day 4 awaits, promising more heat, more aces, and undoubtedly more drama.
