Day one of the Australian Open 2026 saw Elsa Jacquemot triumph over Marta Kostyuk in a record-breaking match at ANZ Arena. The three-and-a-half-hour battle, with all sets decided by tiebreaks, marked a historic moment in women’s singles at Melbourne Park.
This match became the longest women’s singles game at the event since the introduction of final-set tiebreaks in 2019, lasting three hours and 31 minutes. Jacquemot’s hard-fought victory ended with a remarkable final score of 6-7(4), 7-6(4), 7-6[10-7], surpassing the previous record set in 2025 by Emma Navarro and Peyton Stearns.
Jacquemot, expressing her joy after the intense match, praised Kostyuk’s performance and highlighted the challenges faced during the game. This win not only marked her first top-20 victory but also her maiden main-draw success at the Australian Open.
The 22-year-old Jacquemot, after saving a match point in the second set, managed to maintain her composure throughout the decider, where Kostyuk faced a setback due to a severe ankle injury. Despite Kostyuk’s brave comeback, Jacquemot emerged victorious after a grueling battle, setting the stage for her next match against Yulia Putintseva.
Day one of the tournament also witnessed a record-breaking attendance, with 73,235 fans present during the day session, surpassing previous records. The electrifying atmosphere set the stage for an exciting start to the Grand Slam event.
