Get ready for a tennis tale that will leave you on the edge of your seat! In a stunning turn of events, Elsa Jacquemot orchestrated a historic upset at the Australian Open, toppling the formidable No. 20 seed Marta Kostyuk in a marathon match that will go down in tennis history. This wasn’t just any victory—it was the first triple-tiebreak match at the Australian Open in the Open Era, ending with a jaw-dropping 6-7(4), 7-6(4), 7-6[7] scoreline. But here’s where it gets even more thrilling: Jacquemot, ranked 58th, clawed her way back from a set and 5-3 down, saving a match point in the process. The match clocked in at 3 hours and 31 minutes, making it the longest of the season so far—and just two minutes shy of 2025’s record. This wasn’t just a win; it was Jacquemot’s first-ever Top 20 victory, cementing her place as a rising star to watch.
Kostyuk, who had stormed into 2026 with three Top 10 wins and a Brisbane final appearance, seemed unstoppable. Her pre-season strength training had paid dividends, and she had her sights set on cracking the Top 10 herself. But against Jacquemot, her usual fluidity and consistency vanished. While Kostyuk unleashed 67 winners, they were overshadowed by 68 unforced errors. Jacquemot, the 2020 Roland Garros junior champion who broke into the Top 100 last year, masterfully lured Kostyuk into over-pressing with her rock-solid defense. Yet, she also injected moments of well-timed aggression, like the ferocious forehand returns that denied Kostyuk when she served for the match at 5-3 in the second set. And this is the part most people miss—Jacquemot’s ability to stay cool under pressure, fending off match point with a service winner.
The drama didn’t end there. Serving at 6-5 in the decider, Kostyuk took a medical timeout after rolling her ankle. She fought back to force a tiebreak, but her volleys faltered as Jacquemot surged to a 5-1 lead. Kostyuk rallied to level at 7-7, but Jacquemot struck back with her two biggest forehands of the tiebreak, sealing the deal in a tense rally that ended with Kostyuk’s netted drop shot. Was this match a testament to Jacquemot’s resilience, or a rare off-day for Kostyuk? Let’s debate in the comments!
This triple-tiebreak thriller was only the fifth of its kind in Grand Slam history, joining the ranks of matches like the 1985 US Open quarterfinal between Stefanie Graf and Pam Shriver. And here’s a fun fact: the Australian Open only introduced the third-set tiebreak in 2019, making this scoreline possible for the first time in Melbourne.
Next up for Jacquemot is Yulia Putintseva, who delivered one of the most entertaining celebrations of the tournament—or maybe even the season. After battling back from a set and a break down to defeat Beatriz Haddad Maia 3-6, 7-5, 6-3, Putintseva approached the net with a shimmy and a florid bow, complete with a theatrical twirl. Her dynamic with the crowd on Court 6, adjacent to the lively Courtside Bar, was nothing short of spicy. Is Putintseva’s on-court personality a distraction or a delight? Share your thoughts below!
Meanwhile, another seed fell as No. 32 Marketa Vondrousova, the former Wimbledon champion, withdrew due to ongoing shoulder issues. Vondrousova, who underwent shoulder surgery in 2024, expressed her disappointment in a heartfelt statement, emphasizing the need to prioritize her health. Lucky loser Taylor Townsend stepped in but fell to fellow American Hailey Baptiste in a three-set battle.
As the Australian Open continues to deliver jaw-dropping moments, one thing is clear: this tournament is far from predictable. Who do you think will rise to the top? And what’s your take on the controversial triple-tiebreak format—fair or foul? Let’s keep the conversation going!
