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Madison Keys launched her Australian Open title defence with a 7-6(6) 6-1 win over Ukrainian Grand Slam debutant Oleksandra Oliynykova to reach the second round at Melbourne Park on Tuesday (January 20, 2026).
Keys found herself in trouble early on at Rod Laver Arena, conceding a double break with untimely double faults, and while she drew level at 4-4 the American was then dragged into a tiebreak where Oliynykova caused more chaos with her deep, looping shots.
The plucky Ukrainian brought up two set points but Keys erased the deficit with some trademark big-hitting to eventually snatch a tense tiebreak, punctuating her escape with a roar.
The shift in momentum was confirmed when ninth seed Keys went ahead 3-0 in the second set and the 30-year-old wrapped up the win on serve to set up a second-round meeting with fellow American Ashlyn Krueger.
Tjen first Indonesian to win at Australian Open in 28 years
Janice Tjen called it “special” after she pulled off an upset to become the first Indonesian to win a match at the Australian Open in 28 years on Tuesday (January 20, 2026).
Unseeded Tjen stunned Canadian 22nd seed Leylah Fernandez 6-2, 7-6 (7/1) to surge into the second round in Melbourne and add to her growing list of milestones.
Tjen, who this time last year was ranked 413 but is now the world number 59, is the first Indonesian to win a match at the major since Yayuk Basuki in 1998.
Indonesia’s Janice Tjen of Indonesia reacts during her first round match against Leylah Fernandez of Canada at the Australian Open tennis championship in Melbourne, Australia, on January 20, 2026
| Photo Credit:
AP
“I’m very happy to be a part of history and be able to get a win here for Indonesia,” said the 23-year-old.
“It was special, especially being able to do it in front of my family here and there were a lot of Indonesians, and my close friends are also here.”
Asked by AFP how her life had changed off court since a breakthrough 2025, she said: “I get recognised a little bit here and there and I think it’s nice, it’s a nice feeling to be recognised.”
In front of the vocal Indonesia fans Tjen made a lightning start, sealing the first set in 36 minutes to leave her higher-ranked opponent from Canada reeling.
Tjen seized an early break in the second set to put 2021 US Open runner-up Fernandez immediately on the back foot.
The fourth game of the second set threatened to be pivotal, Tjen digging herself out of a hole on her own serve to hold and go 3-1 up.
The 23-year-old Fernandez fought back, reeling off three games in a row to turn the tide.
The battling duo headed into a tiebreak, where Tjen powered into a 3-0 lead and never looked back, letting out a mighty roar when victory was confirmed.
Tjen’s career took off in 2025.
She pulled off another surprise in upsetting Russian 24th seed Veronika Kudermetova as a qualifier at the US Open.
In New York she was the first Indonesian to play in the main singles draw of a Grand Slam since 2004.
The Jakarta native lifted the title in Chennai last year — the first Indonesian to win a WTA Tour singles crown since 2002.
Reflecting on the support in Melbourne of Indonesia fans waving their red and white flag and chanting, Tjen said: “It’s something special and feels a little bit like home.
“Knowing that a lot of Indonesians came out to support me today means a lot.”
Dad-to-be Ruud ready to walk away
Casper Ruud is targeting a fourth Grand Slam final at the Australian Open, but he is ready to pull the pin and make a mad dash home if he gets a call from his heavily pregnant wife.
The 12th-seeded Norwegian is into the second round at Melbourne Park but admits his focus is not entirely on the tournament.
Wife Maria is expecting their first child any day and he is prepared to drop everything to be with her for the birth.
“I have to thank Maria for letting me go in the first place. I know she’s at home resting, getting ready,” said Ruud, who has made finals twice at the French Open and once at the US Open.
“Except for when I’m playing a match, the ringer (on my phone) is on all hours of the day just in case.
“If she goes into labour I probably won’t be here the next day,” he added.
“But that’s the way it goes. There’s more to life than just tennis, but I’m going to be here for as long as I can and as long as Maria lets me.”
Former world number two Ruud plays Spain’s Jaume Munar in the second round.
Published – January 20, 2026 08:21 am IST
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Australian Open 2026: Defending champion Madison Keys battles past plucky Oliynykova
