Australian Open: Swiatek's Career Grand Slam bid starts with comfortable Yuan win

Iga Swiatek began her Australian Open campaign with a solid win, moving into the second round after defeating Yue Yuan in straight sets.

Still chasing her first final appearance at Melbourne Park, the world

No. 2 made a composed start to her 2026 run, sealing a 7-6 (7-5), 6-3 victory in just under two hours.

Swiatek was tested early after being broken in the opening game, but she responded quickly as both players traded games through a competitive first set. With neither able to pull away, the opener went to a tie-break, where Swiatek edged ahead on her second set point.

From there, the Pole took control. She broke Yuan early in the second set to race into a 3-0 lead, and although Yuan briefly pushed back, the early deficit proved decisive. Swiatek closed out the match with authority, finishing it with a clean backhand return winner down the line.

The six-time Grand Slam champion will next face Czech player Marie Bouzkova, who overcame Renata Zarazua in her opening-round match

Swiatek second round @iga_swiatek | #AO26 pic.twitter.com/mvlkR6HBsc

— wta (@WTA) January 19, 2026

Data Debrief: Swiatek maintains perfect slam record

Swiatek had beaten Yuan comfortably in Beijing last year, but this time was forced to dig deeper. In doing so, she became the first player since Karolina Pliskova to win 25 consecutive women's singles Grand Slam opening-round matches.

She has now also reached the second round in 25 straight Grand Slam appearances, the longest such streak in women's singles since Svetlana Kuznetsova between 2006 and 2012.