Australian Open: Swiatek tops Kalinskaya in rollercoaster tie, 'heartbroken' Osaka withdraws

Iga Swiatek came out on top in a rollercoaster Australian Open third-round tie with Anna Kalinskaya in three sets.

Swiatek advanced to the second week after a topsy-turvy 6-1 1-6 6-1 in one hour and 44

minutes.

The Pole won the first three games of the match, and though Kalinskaya clawed one back, she could do nothing to halt Swiatek's second such run to take the first set.

However, the Russian rallied, going a break up as she took a 2-0 lead in the second, only to lose serve in the following game. She responded brilliantly, though, reeling off the last four games, holding off three break points and converting her third set-point to force a decider.

Swiatek regained her control in the final set, racing into a 5-1 lead. Kalinskaya attempted to delay the inevitable, forcing three break points in the last game, only for the world number two to convert her second match point.

And Swiatek will face the last home hope - and the last qualifier - standing, Maddison Inglis, in the round of 16.

Since 2025, Swiatek is 21-1 in Grand Slams after winning the first set, only losing to Madison Keys at #AO25  pic.twitter.com/RQ6HIl2vMP

— #AusOpen (@AustralianOpen) January 24, 2026

Inglis advanced via walkover after Naomi Osaka withdrew through injury prior to their third-round match on Saturday.

Osaka, who is a two-time champion at the Australian Open, announced her decision to pull out two hours before she was due on the court, having struggled through her warm-up.

"I've had to make the difficult decision to withdraw to address something my body needs attention for after my last match," Osaka said in a statement.

"I was so excited to keep going, and this run meant the most to me, so having to stop here breaks my heart, but I can't risk doing any further damage, so I can get back on the court.

"Thanks for all the love and support. I'm so grateful everyone embraced me so much. And thank you to my whole team for always having my back, and the tournament organizers. "

Data Debrief: No stopping Swiatek

It is the 21st time in 28 main draws that Swiatek has advanced to the second week of a grand slam, while it is her sixth time doing so in eight Australian Opens.

Since her grand slam debut in 2019, only Novak Djokovic (25) has reached more singles majors fourth round than Swiatek (21, level with Alexander Zverev).

Following Osaka's withdrawal, Inglis is the first Australian to reach the women's singles round of 16 at the Australian Open since Ashleigh Barty in 2022.