Aussie qualifier ruins fan favourite fairytale in four-hour epic; $225k boilover for wildcard — AO Wrap
Aussie women’s No.1 Maya Joint has fallen at the first hurdle, but a countrywoman has ensured a 34-year best as Round 1 wraps up on Tuesday.
Catch up on all the news from Day 3 of the Australian Open below!
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‘LIKE I’M WATCHING A SHOW’: AUSSIE SPOILS FAIRYTALE
Australian qualifier Dane Sweeny ended Gael Monfils’ Australian Open career in a match of the day contender on Kia Arena.
The 24-year-old Queenslander lost the first set in a tiebreak but fought back to prevail in four sets: 6-7, 7-5, 6-4, 7-5.
It was like an old school Davis Cup tie on Tuesday afternoon with two countries’ sets of fans doing their best to outdo one another.
The Australians held the majority, but a noisy pocket of Frenchmen and women were just as loud as they chanted and waved the tricolour flag.
The two players regularly had the crowd on their feet as they produced some of the most captivating rallies of the tournament so far during their three hours and 51 minutes on court.
“I feel like I’m watching a show right now. It feels pretty unbelievable to be in this position,” Sweeny said.
“I think the ice bath will take me off cloud nine,” he added with a laugh.
MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA – JANUARY 20: Dane Sweeny of Australia celebrates a point against Gael Monfils of France in the Men’s Singles First Round during day three of the 2026 Australian Open at Melbourne Park on January 20, 2026 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Morgan Hancock/Getty Images)Source: Getty Images
Monfils seized control of the first set tiebreak with a jumping, forehand smash, while he also responded to multiple taunts from the locals with thumping aces.
The 39-year-old has always been a showman and at times had the entire arena on their feet because of his glorious shot-making.
Monfils smashed 14 aces and 58 winners for the match, while Sweeny crunched 51 winners of his own.
It was during the second set that the momentum turned the Australian’s way, however.
Sweeny trailed 5-3 but charged back to win four consecutive games to level the match.
He adorned himself to the home fans in the process by displaying the never say die attitude that has been a trademark of many much-loved players from these shores.
Sweeny was running around the court like a madman on countless occasions, trying to run down every single ball from Monfils.
It was no surprise that the unforced error count – 45 to 77 – heavily favoured the local.
During the fourth set, a member of the Frenchman’s box summed up Sweeny’s impressive fitness levels as they were overheard saying: “It has been three hours 15 (minutes) and the guy is not even tired.”
Sweeny’s determination held him in good stead in the pressure moments like when he needed five set points to eventually seal a two sets to one advantage.
Or when Monfils broke his serve in the fourth set.
When you learn more about Sweeny’s background, it is clear to see why he was always going to leave nothing on the court.
Australia’s Dane Sweeny (R) greets France’s Gael Monfils after winning their men’s singles match on day three of the Australian Open tennis tournament in Melbourne on January 20, 2026. (Photo by Paul Crock / AFP) / — IMAGE RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE – STRICTLY NO COMMERCIAL USE —Source: AFP
The world No.182, who was ranked as low as No. 680 last year, had never before won a grand slam match before.
His only previous appearance on the biggest stage was a five-set loss to Argentine Francisco Cerundolo at Melbourne Park two years ago.
While still a teenager in 2020, Sweeny even resorted to starting a GoFundMe page to raise some funds in order to keep his tennis dream alive.
At ATP level, he boasted just two wins before today in seven previous main tour matches.
The veteran on the other side of the net has a whopping 583 career ATP wins.
The Frenchman bid farewell to Australia in moving fashion as he was given a rousing reception upon leaving the court after receiving a gift of appreciation from tournament director Craig Tiley.
Monfils recently announced that this year will be his last year on tour, and he gave it everything in his 20th Australian Open – only the sixth player to reach that mark.
His hands were routinely on his knees between points and at one stage he argued with the chair umpire about the break times.
Along with the admiration of the Australian public, Monfils ends his time down under tied with former finalist Jo-Wilfried Tsonga for the most wins by a Frenchman at this tournament with 37 victories.
NCA. MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA. January 20, 2026Ã. TENNIS. Australian Open Day . Taylah Preston vs Shuai Zhang on KIA Arena. Australian Taylah Preston wins in 3 sets over Shuai Zhang . Picture: Michael KleinSource: News Corp Australia
AUSSIE WILDCARD SURGES TO SECOND ROUND
There was a slight speedbump in the second set, but Australian Taylah Preston has claimed her first main-draw victory at a grand slam with a three-set triumph over China’s Zhang Shuai on Show Court Arena.
The final scorecard reads 6-3, 2-6, 6-3 in her favour, though that may not be entirely reflective of how tight a match it was.
All up, Preston won just one more point for the match than Shuai.
But it’s a handy payday for Preston, earning an AU$225,000 cheque as part of progressing to the Open’s second round.
A tough match-up awaits the 20-year-old, who now faces No.13 seed Linda Noskova on Thursday after her thumping straight sets win yesterday that finished in just 58 minutes.
That being said, the Perth-born talent reached the semi-final of the Hobart International last week — inclusive of a straight sets win over Emma Raducanu in the quarter final.
“I’m just really, really happy to get my first Grand Slam win. It means a lot. I’ve put a lot of hard work in, (so) it’s really nice,” Preston told Show Court Arena post-match.
“Sometimes I’m calm, sometimes I’m not. I think at the end of the third there, I started getting a little bit nervous. I try not to think about it and think about playing the point — and maybe I did it okay.
“To have my parents and my sister here is really nice. They don’t get to see me play too much live. It’s great to have them all here.”
‘EXTRA PRESSURE’ A FACTOR AS JOINT CRASHES OUT
Aussie women’s no.1 Maya Joint is out of the Australian Open, falling disappointingly to Czech young gun Tereza Valentova in their first-round clash.
Joint, the tournament’s 30th seed, lost in straight sets 6-4 6-4 to the 54th-ranked Valentova, 18, on John Cain Arena.
The 19-year-old Aussie had service game issues throughout and struggled to cope with the Czech’s superb ball-striking.
It was just Valentova’s third-ever grand slam win, but if her work on Tuesday was any indicator, she’s a star on the rise and could make waves as a dark horse.
Joint, American-born but with Australian allegiance since 2023, was on the back foot from the get-go.
She was broken to start the match in what was dubbed a “stunning start” for youngster Valentova, but the Aussie quickly broke back with a brutal backhand she looked to flaunt throughout.
The Aussie exhibited her powerful return game but struggled in service, with both women having double-fault issues in the first set.
But it was Valentova’s powerful hitting that was the catalyst in claiming the first set, 6-4.
The 18-year-old created eight break point opportunities to Joint’s three.
The Aussie started the second set with a crucial hold and followed up with a desperately-needed break for 2-0, but she was quickly broken back as double-fault problems continued to plague her.
After service game struggles in the opening set, Joint again struggled to hold serve in the second — broken for a second time for 2-3.
Valentova hit 15 winners to nine in the second set, proving too strong for Joint, who Jelena Dokic and Casey Dellacqua believed was feeling the pressure of being Australia’s top woman.
“This is top-30 tennis at least,” Dokic said of Valentova’s play during Nine’s broadcast.
“So, yeah, one of the toughest first rounds (for Joint) … especially with pressure on your shoulders. It’s also about yourself, not just your opponent as well, isn’t it?
“You’re playing against yourself as well with that pressure. So, very tough.”
Dellacqua added: “No one puts more pressure on themselves than an individual tennis player does. And I think for Maya, whether or not she maybe felt it, I think just innately you, as the number one ranked women’s Australian player at the moment.
“There’s just that outside noise and extra pressure.”
Valentova will next face one of Lulu Sun or Linda Fruhvirtova in the second round.
“It feels amazing, and to play in front of that crowd in this stadium is amazing. It feels amazing,” Valentova told John Cain Arena post-match.
“We’re a small country, and we have so many good players. I think we can be proud of ourselves to represent Czech Republic … there’s just something in the air or water!”
‘Not making up the numbers’ de Minaur | 05:13
Follow live updates from Day 3 at Melbourne Park below!
‘NOT GREEDY’: DE MINAUR EXPLAINS PLAYERS’ PUSH FOR BETTER PAY
Alex de Minaur has joined the chorus of voices calling for an increased revenue share from the Australian Open, explaining the push for money is not about “being greedy”.
De Minaur was among a host of the sport’s biggest names who were lobbying the grand slam bosses for better pay and conditions, with the leading players in men’s and women’s tennis joining forces last year seeking from the four majors a higher percentage of tournament revenue and contributions towards welfare programmes such as pensions.
They also want to be consulted when any of the Grand Slams consider making changes that could directly affect them.
Nine Newspapers reported last week that Coco Gauff, Carlos Alcaraz, Jannik Sinner, Madison Keys, Aryna Sabalenka and Iga Swiatek were among those involved.
The Australian Open, meanwhile, pledged a 16 percent increase in the total prize purse to Aus$111.5 million (US$75 million) this year.
The winners of the men’s and women’s singles at the first Grand Slam of the year will each take home Aus$4.15 million, up 19 percent from last year.
Gauff had already made her thoughts on the matter clear ahead of the Australian Open, declaring the record prize pool was “progress” but “still not where we’d like it”.
Asked on Friday about the increase, two-time major champion Gauff said: “The percentage is still, of revenue comparison, not where we would like it.
“I think there’s still further conversations that have to be had, not just with the Australian Open, but with all the slams.”
She added: “The collective feeling is that, yes, there’s been progress, but I still think it’s not where we would like to see it.”
Demon cruises through to AO second round | 02:31
Top players say the changes they are after would benefit the entire tennis ecosystem, and not just those at the top.
It was a sentiment echoed by de Minaur after his straight sets win over Mackenzie McDonald, where the Australian clarified the motivations behind the players’ fight for a bigger slice of the pie.
“It ultimately comes down to perspective, right? It’s not about headlines,” de Minaur said.
“It’s not about we’re demanding more and that we’re being greedy, right?
“That’s some of the things that potentially the media grasps on, and that’s their headlines, but it’s all about perspective. What we’re fighting for is to better our sport and ultimately for the players to be better compensated.
“Saying this, we are incredibly well-compensated as of right now, but when you look at the percentages and the differences between other sports, then of course there is room to grow.
“I think that’s what we’re trying to get to ultimately, to a point where we’re all helping each other grow this beautiful sport. We have seen it grow over the years immensely.
“Ultimately, I think it’s going to be for the best for both the players and the tours and everyone in this sport if we all sit down in a room and we kind of find ways to keep on improving and we keep the communication going. That’s basically all.”
Gauff, meanwhile, said on Monday after her first round win over Kamilla Rakhimova that she had not heard any rumours of players considering protests if their demands are not met.
But in saying that, she also added: “I do know players are going to put more pressure on the slams if certain things aren’t being met to where we see it”.
Djokovic seals 100th Aus Open win | 02:25
Gauff and de Minaur were not the only players to be asked about the calls for an increased revenue share, with Daniil Medvedev telling reporters “everyone” will “benefit”.
“Tennis has good money but the percentage, I think, is important from the revenue. That’s the most important,” Medvedev said.
“So I don’t know if it’s even an open number of what the percentage for us is in terms of prize money, and then should be comparable to other sports.
“So I let our teams handle this. Hopefully it will lead to more transparency between grand slams and players, because that’s going to make, I think, everyone benefit from this.”
World number three Alexander Zverev, meanwhile, struck a less upbeat tone when quizzed about the potential changes ahead of the Australian Open.
“Don’t really feel like there’s any progress, to be honest,” the German said.
“I feel like it’s just a lot of talk, a lot of time invested into it, and not really any changes.” Sabalenka, who like Gauff has represented the players in talks with the majors, said “we always can do better” when asked if the Australian Open concessions were enough.
“But I think all of the slams, they are trying to work together with us and come to a conclusion. I hope one day we’ll get to a happy place for everyone,” she added.
AUSTRALIAN OPEN DAY 3 ORDER OF PLAY
Show courts and Aussies – all times AEDT
Rod Laver Arena
Day session from 11:30am
Oleksandra Oliynykova (UKR) vs [9] Madison Keys (USA)
[8] Ben Shelton (USA) vs Ugo Humbert (FRA)
Night session from 7pm
Hugo Gaston (FRA) vs [2] Jannik Sinner (ITA)
[16] Naomi Osaka (JPN) vs Antonia Ruzic (CRO)
Margaret Court Arena
Day session from 11:30am
[5] Lorenzo Musetti (ITA) vs Raphael Collignon (BEL)
[5] Elena Rybakina (KAZ) vs Kaja Juvan (SLO)
Night session from 7pm
Katie Boulter (GBR) vs [10] Belinda Bencic (SUI)
Shintaro Mochizuki (JPN) vs [31] Stefanos Tsitsipas (GRE)
John Cain Arena
Day session from 11am
Tereza Valentova (CZE) vs [30] Maya Joint (AUS)
[15] Karen Khachanov (RUS) vs Alex Michelsen (USA)
Night session from 5pm
Valentin Royer (FRA) vs [9] Taylor Fritz (USA)
[Q] Maddison Inglis (AUS) vs Kim Birrell (AUS)
Kia Arena
From 11am
Shuai Zhang (CHN) vs [WC] Taylah Preston (AUS)
Third match (est. 2pm)
[Q] Dane Sweeny (AUS) vs Gael Monfils (FRA)
ANZ Arena
Second match (est. 12:30pm)
[WC] Christopher O’Connell (AUS) vs [Q] Nishesh Basavareddy (USA)
Fourth match (est. 5pm)
Daria Kasatkina (AUS) vs [Q] Nikola Bartunkova (CZE)
Court 6
Third match (est. 3pm)
[WC] James Duckworth (AUS) vs [LL] Dino Prizmic (CRO)
