MusaSwiatek Digs Deep to Advance at Australian Open
In a challenging opening match at the Australian Open on Monday, January 19, 2026, Iga Świątek battled through rust and a determined opponent to secure her place in the second round. Facing the world No. 130 Chinese qualifier Yuan Yue on Rod Laver Arena, Świątek was pushed to her limits in a two-set victory, winning 7-6 (5), 6-3 after more than two hours on court. This win keeps her pursuit of a career Grand Slam alive, as the Australian Open remains the only major title missing from her impressive collection.
The match was a far cry from a routine Grand Slam opener for the Polish second seed. Yuan, unfazed by her highly-ranked opponent, started strong, breaking Świątek’s first service game and rifling winners to take a commanding 5-3 lead in the first set. Swiatek, who admitted to feeling “a bit rusty at the beginning,” had to draw on her renowned mental toughness and resilience to change the match’s momentum. She broke back when Yuan served for the set, eventually forcing a tiebreaker that she won 7-5.
The second set saw Swiatek find her rhythm, demonstrating her ability to work through challenges on the court, a trait she often discusses in her post-match interviews. While the final scoreline looks comfortable, Swiatek acknowledged the match was full of “ups and downs” and highlighted areas for improvement, particularly her second serve, which Yuan capitalized on effectively.
“It wasn’t perfect but that’s why I am happy because it is not hard to win matches when everything is going well,” Swiatek said in her on-court interview. “Today it wasn’t but I managed to win so that’s good.”
Her preparation for the tournament had been somewhat disrupted by two singles losses at the United Cup, but this first-round victory provides a crucial competitive match under her belt.
Looking Ahead
Świątek’s journey continues in the second round where she will face Czech player Marie Bouzková. The match is scheduled for Wednesday, January 21, 2026, as she continues her quest for an elusive Australian Open title.
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