Yulia Putintseva dances through the boos to end Zeynep Sonmez Melbourne fairy tale
Yulia Putintseva reached her first Australian Open fourth round by overcoming Turkish qualifier Zeynep Sonmez 6-3, 6-7(3), 6-3.
YULIA PUTINTSEVA, Australian Open 2026 | © Imago / PsNewz
Kazakhstan’s Yulia Putintseva reached her first Australian Open fourth round on Friday by overcoming Turkish qualifier Zeynep Sonmez 6-3, 6-7(3), 6-3 in a high-tension encounter at Melbourne Park.
The victory marks a significant milestone for the 31-year-old Yulia Putintseva, who had reached the third round in Melbourne four times previously but had never managed to break through to the second week. Currently ranked No 94, the Kazakh star showcased her signature scrappy style and a deep bag of tricks to outlast her younger opponent in a match that lasted over two hours.
Putintseva appeared to be in control several times, leading 3-1 in the second set and 4-1 in the decider, but she was forced to weather a fierce comeback attempt. This result represents her first Grand Slam round of 16 appearance since 2024 and continues her streak of upsetting partisan crowds following her earlier wins over Brazilian and French opposition this week.
end of the fairy tale for the turkish history maker
The defeat brings a close to the remarkable run of Zeynep Sonmez, the 23-year-old qualifier who became the first Turkish player in history to reach the third round of the Australian Open. Sonmez, the world No 112, became a fan favorite in Melbourne after a series of gutsy performances, including a stunning opening-round upset of the 11th seed Ekaterina Alexandrova and a straight-sets victory over Anna Bondar.
Despite the loss, Sonmez leaves Australia with her head high, having saved ball kids in the heat and inspired a sea of Turkish flags at the Kia Arena. Her performance this fortnight ensures she will break into the world top 80 in ten days, a new career-high that cements her status as a rising force on the WTA tour.
Reflecting on the emotional support from her compatriots, Sonmez noted, “I really appreciated there were many Turkish people, and I felt like I was at home”, she said after her previous win. Today, the fatigue of her sixth match in Melbourne finally appeared to take its toll during the final set. Sonmez had reached the same stage at Wimbledon last year, but her performance in Melbourne has proven her consistency on hard courts, marking the first time a Turkish female player has competed in the main draws of all four Grand Slams in a single season.
putintseva bag of tricks and a dance for the crowd
The match concluded in typical Yulia Putintseva fashion, with the Kazakh veteran leaning into her role as the tournament’s ultimate disruptor. After sealing the final point, Putintseva turned to the vocal crowd and placed her hand to her ear, a gesture that immediately drew a chorus of boos from the stands. Undeterred by the reaction, the 31-year-old began dancing on the court, celebrating the fact that she has successfully navigated three consecutive rounds against opponents backed by massive partisan support.
Putintseva now prepares for a fourth-round clash against Jasmine Paolini, where her defensive brilliance and mental toughness will be tested once more. Throughout the match against Sonmez, her ability to frustrate with dropshots and lobs was the key to breaking the rhythm of the Turkish qualifier. “I was feeling the energy. It was unreal. I appreciate it,” was the sentiment shared by Sonmez regarding the atmosphere, but it was Putintseva who ultimately mastered the chaos. As the first Grand Slam of 2026 enters the second week, Putintseva remains one of the most dangerous unseeded players in the draw, proving that her tactical variety is as effective as ever on the world stage.
