On January 20, 2026, the Australian Open saw an electrifying first-round encounter as American player Ben Shelton triumphed over France’s Ugo Humbert. Shelton secured the victory with set scores of 6-3, 7-6(2), and 7-6(5), demonstrating his powerful serve with a staggering 15 aces in the match. The contest lasted for two hours and 37 minutes, showcasing Shelton’s ability to maintain his composure in high-pressure situations, particularly during the two tiebreaks.
Shelton’s win would have set up a fascinating second-round clash against veteran French player Gael Monfils. However, Monfils concluded his illustrious Grand Slam career with a defeat against Australian hopeful Dane Sweeny. Sweeny won the match in four hard-fought sets, with scores of 6-7(3), 7-5, 6-4, and 7-5. This victory marked a significant milestone for the 24-year-old Sweeny, as it was his first-ever win in a Grand Slam main draw, symbolizing both an start and farewell in the tournament.
After his defeat, an emotional Monfils addressed the crowd, reminiscing about his journey that began in 2003 at the Australian Open. “Thank you so much,” he expressed. “It has been an amazing ride with you all. From my first visit in 2003 to now in 2026, this arena has held so many of my memories.”
The tournament faced another upset as Joao Fonseca was eliminated by Eliot Spizzirri, who won decisively with scores of 6-4, 2-6, 6-1, and 6-2.
In other matches from Day 3 of the Australian Open, Jannik Sinner breezed through against Hugo Gaston, winning 6-2, 6-1, as Gaston was forced to retire. Meanwhile, Taylor Fritz edged out Valentin Royer in a tightly-contested match, winning 7-6(5), 5-7, 6-1, and 6-3. Stefanos Tsitsipas also advanced, overcoming Shintaro Mochizuki 4-6, 6-3, 6-2, and 6-2 in his encounter.
Youngster Lorenzo Musetti faced a challenge against Raphael Collignon, winning after a retirement, with the final score at 4-6, 7-6(3), 7-5, and 3-2. In a surprising turn, Czech player Tomas Machac bested Grigor Dimitrov in straight sets (6-4, 6-4, 6-3).
Further remarkable matches included Jakub Mensik’s comeback against Pablo Carreno Busta and Karen Khachanov defeating Alex Michelsen in a tense five-setter. Other notable outcomes featured Sebastian Baez, Dane Sweeny, and James Duckworth achieving victory.
The Australian Open continues to showcase thrilling matchups as players vie for glory on the grand stage, with numerous surprises and sentiments of farewell coloring the tournament’s atmosphere.
