Jacquemot stuns Marta Kostyuk in 3-hour Australian Open thriller marked by late injury drama

Jacquemot – Kostyuk was the first ever women’s singles match at the Australian Open in the Open era to be decided via three tie-breaks.

Elsa Jacquemot, 2026 | © Zuma / PsNewz

Tennis Majors

January 18, 2026

Australian Open •First round • Completed

See draw

E. JacquemotvsM. Kostyuk

Frenchwoman Elsa Jacquemot achieved a career-defining victory on Sunday night, defeating the 20th seed Marta Kostyuk 6-7(4), 7-6(4), 7-6(7) to reach the second round of the Australian Open.

In an exhausting battle that lasted 3 hours and 31 minutes, the world No 56 showed immense mental strength to save a match point and claw her way back after Kostyuk served for the victory at 5-3 in the second set.

It is the first ever women’s singles match at the Australian Open in the Open era to be decided via three tie-breaks.

Jacquemot’s first-ever Top 20 win

For Jacquemot, this first-ever Top 20 win comes in her debut appearance in the Melbourne main draw, having failed to progress through the qualifying tournament in each of the previous three years.

The match concluded under a cloud of concern as Kostyuk suffered a severe fall while serving to stay in the match during the final set. The Ukrainian appeared to badly twist her left ankle and was clearly in agony, winced in pain and found herself unable to put weight on the limb.

While the victory propels Jacquemot into a second-round clash with Yulia Putintseva, the primary concern following the match was the health of Kostyuk, the 2024 quarterfinalist.

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