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Elsa Jacquemot Upsets Marta Kostyuk in Record-Length Australian Open Epic

Elsa Jacquemot scored a monumental first-round upset over 20th-seeded Marta Kostyuk in a match that lasted three hours and 31 minutes, setting a new record for the longest women's singles match at the Australian Open since the introduction of final-set tiebreaks. The grueling contest saw all three sets decided by tiebreaks, with Jacquemot saving a match point in the second set. Kostyuk suffered a severe ankle roll late in the decider but bravely continued with heavy strapping before falling in the final tiebreak. The historic match occurred on a day that also set a new record for the largest day-session crowd in the tournament's history.

Key Points: Jacquemot Upsets Kostyuk in Record Australian Open Match

  • Longest women's match since 2019 format change
  • All three sets decided by tiebreaks
  • Jacquemot's first top-20 and main-draw AO win
  • Kostyuk played through ankle injury
  • Record day-session crowd of 73,235
2 min read

Aus Open: Elsa Jacquemot upsets Marta Kostyuk in opening round

Elsa Jacquemot defeats Marta Kostyuk in the longest women's match at the Australian Open since 2019, a historic three-and-a-half-hour battle.

"It was a crazy match. Marta played so good. So I'm very happy to win this match. - Elsa Jacquemot"

Melbourne, Jan 18

Day one of the Australian Open 2026 has already found its way to the history books as Elsa Jacquemot defeated Marta Kostyuk in a three-and-a-half-hour match at ANZ Arena, with all three sets decided by tiebreaks.

This is the first occurrence of such an event in a women's singles match at Melbourne Park since the tournament adopted final-set tiebreaks in 2019.

At three hours and 31 minutes, it became the longest women's singles match at the event since that format's introduction, with an almost incredulous final score of 6-7(4), 7-6(4), 7-6[10-7]. The previous record after 2019 was three hours and 20 minutes, set last year by Emma Navarro and Peyton Stearns, whose all-American first-round match ended 6-7(5), 7-6(5), 7-5.

"It was a crazy match. Marta played so good. So I'm very happy to win this match. It is not easy," Jacquemot told the media at Melbourne Park.

Jacquemot achieved her first top-20 win and her first main-draw victory at the Australian Open.

The 22-year-old saved a match point in the second set and led 6-5 in the decider before Kostyuk seemed to suffer a severe ankle roll, prompting a medical timeout.

Kostyuk, the World No.20 and a finalist at the Brisbane International last week, returned to the match with heavy ankle support but appeared visibly uncomfortable.

The Ukrainian rallied, however, winning the game and forcing a final tiebreak before eventually falling 7-10 to the Frenchwoman.

"It's not easy because you feel it's kinda like the end of the match. It was at an important moment [in the match]. I tried to stay as calm as possible... I'm really happy I stayed focused. It's hard. We played for more than three hours, and [Kostyuk is] a player that really loves to run," Jacquemot said on the challenge of maintaining focus following the injury delay.

Speaking of her second-round matchup with Yulia Putintseva, she added, "I really need to recover because it was a very long match."

Day one of the main draw featured the largest day-session crowd in the Grand Slam's history, with 73,235 fans attending, exceeding the 68,883 who attended on middle Saturday in 2019.

- IANS

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Reader Comments

R
Rohit P
Wow, a record-breaking match on day one itself! Makes me wish we had more Indian players going deep in these Grand Slams. Our players need this kind of fighting spirit. Sania Mirza set the standard, now who's next?
D
David E
As a tennis fan living in Bangalore, I stayed up late to watch this. The tension was unreal! The crowd figure of 73k+ is also mind-blowing. Melbourne Park always has the best atmosphere.
A
Ananya R
Respect to both players. But I have to say, the scheduling and format for these long matches needs a look. Three and a half hours in the first round is brutal for recovery. The next match will be very tough for Jacquemot.
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Vikram M
Such a shame about the injury. Kostyuk was in great form coming from Brisbane. But that's sport – sometimes luck isn't on your side. Jacquemot's mental strength to save a match point and then win is commendable. 👏
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Sarah B
The scoreline alone tells a story! 6-7, 7-6, 7-6[10-7]. Every set a tiebreak. This is the kind of match that defines a player's career. Big win for the French player. Hope Kostyuk recovers soon.

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