Maddison Inglis has etched her name into Australian Open folklore with a performance that epitomized grit, determination, and raw emotion. The 28-year-old qualifier, ranked 168th in the world, orchestrated a remarkable comeback victory against German veteran Laura Siegemund on Thursday, securing her place in the third round of her home Grand Slam. The triumph not only marks her deepest run at Melbourne Park since 2020 but also positions her as the sole Australian woman remaining in the singles draw, a testament to her resilience in an increasingly competitive field.
The marathon encounter, contested on ANZ Arena, stretched across three hours and twenty minutes of pulsating tennis, with Inglis eventually prevailing 6-4, 7-6 (7-3), 7-6 (10-7). The scoreline, however, tells only a fraction of the story. This was a battle of wills, a test of physical endurance, and a psychological chess match that left spectators breathless and the victor emotionally spent. Every point carried weight, every game stretched nerves to their breaking point, and every set delivered its own unique narrative of triumph and tribulation.
The match unfolded as a tense, grueling, and occasionally fiery affair, with both players refusing to yield an inch. Inglis appeared to be in control when she served for the match in the second set, only to see her opportunity slip away through a combination of Siegemund's experience and her own mounting tension. The setback could have shattered her confidence, particularly given her admission that she hadn't competed in a match for six weeks prior to the tournament. Yet, rather than crumble under the weight of expectation, Inglis found another gear, tapping into reserves of mental fortitude that separate contenders from champions.
The third set delivered even more drama than its predecessors, elevating the contest to legendary status. With Siegemund serving for the match at 5-4 and the finish line in sight, Inglis faced the prospect of an early exit that would have been both heartbreaking and cruel given her efforts. In a moment that mirrored her first-round victory over compatriot Kim Birrell—where she also failed to convert a gilt-edged opportunity—the Australian dug deep into her competitive soul and engineered a crucial break back that shifted the entire momentum of the contest. The roar from the home crowd was deafening, their energy injecting vital life into their flagging heroine when she needed it most.
As if the mounting tension wasn't enough to test her resolve, Inglis appeared to suffer a physical setback late in the contest while stretching for a difficult ball at full extension. The injury added another layer of adversity to an already daunting challenge, creating genuine concern about her ability to finish the match. However, the Perth native demonstrated remarkable resilience and court awareness, managing her discomfort through careful movement while maintaining her competitive edge and tactical clarity. The match ultimately hinged on a first-to-10-point tiebreaker, where Inglis held her nerve in a tense final rally before collapsing to the court in a mixture of triumph, relief, and sheer exhaustion.
"I didn't come in with high expectations," Inglis admitted afterward, her voice still catching with emotion as she processed the magnitude of her achievement. "I can take it to anyone on any given day, but I wouldn't have dreamed of this." Her humility belied the significance of what she had accomplished. The victory guarantees her a substantial payday of $327,750 and will catapult her ranking toward the top 100, a significant improvement from her current position at world No. 168 and a validation of her decision to persevere through challenging times.
The win represents Inglis's best Grand Slam result since her previous third-round appearance at Melbourne Park four years ago, completing a full circle moment in her career. Her journey to this point has been anything but straightforward, marked by injuries, form slumps, and the psychological burden of watching younger players surge ahead. Having not featured in a Grand Slam main draw since 2022, she has had to battle through three demanding qualifying rounds while also managing a limited match schedule that offered little rhythm or confidence. In total, she has spent six hours and twenty-one minutes on court in just two main-draw singles matches, not to mention her doubles commitment and the physical toll of those qualifying victories.
Inglis now joins Alex de Minaur as Australia's standard-bearers in the singles competition, a pairing that carries the weight of national expectation. The world No. 6 men's player advanced after a tricky first set against Serbian Hamad Medjedovic, eventually finding his rhythm and superior fitness to progress comfortably. Their presence in the round of 32 offers a glimmer of hope for Australian fans after a brutal few days for local contenders that had threatened to eliminate all homegrown talent from the tournament.
The second round proved unforgiving for several Australian hopefuls, highlighting the gap between potential and established excellence. Rinky Hijikata, despite showing flashes of his considerable potential and fighting spirit, fell to 30th seed Valentin Vacherot in a four-set battle that lasted two hours and twenty-eight minutes. The 24-year-old managed to snatch the third set through aggressive play, making the Monaco player work significantly harder than anticipated for his 6-1, 6-3, 4-6, 6-2 victory. Vacherot, competing at Melbourne Park for the first time, will have gained valuable experience from the encounter while Hijikata will rue missed opportunities.
Dane Sweeny's Grand Slam breakthrough proved short-lived, as the American eighth seed Ben Shelton dispatched him in just one hour and forty-two minutes of power tennis. The comprehensive defeat came just two days after Sweeny had celebrated his maiden victory at a major championship, highlighting the steep learning curve at this level of competition and the unforgiving nature of facing a top-10 player. The experience, while painful, will prove invaluable for his development.
Wildcard entrant Taylah Preston also bowed out, though not before claiming a set against 13th seed Linda Noskova and demonstrating the kind of fearless shot-making that suggests significant promise for the young Australian's future development. The moral victory of pushing a top-ranked opponent to her limits will bolster Preston's confidence as she continues her professional journey.
These exits follow a Wednesday wipeout that had already claimed Jordan Thompson, Ajla Tomljanovic, Talia Gibson, Storm Hunter, and Priscilla Hon, creating a sense of dread among Australian tennis faithful. The collective results underscore the challenging nature of Grand Slam tennis and the fine margins that separate victory from defeat, particularly when facing higher-ranked opponents with greater experience on the biggest stages.
Inglis's achievement stands as a testament to perseverance and self-belief in the face of overwhelming odds. Her ability to harness the energy of the home crowd, overcome physical adversity, and execute under pressure exemplifies the qualities required to succeed at the highest level. As she prepares for her third-round opponent, the Australian will carry the hopes of a nation while enjoying the best form of her career and the confidence that comes from surviving multiple match points against a wily veteran.
The road ahead promises further challenges, likely against seeded opposition with their own championship aspirations. However, Inglis has already exceeded expectations and secured her status as one of the tournament's most compelling stories, regardless of what happens next. Her journey from qualifier to third-round contender serves as inspiration for aspiring players and a reminder that in tennis, as in life, fortune favors the brave and the resilient. The Australian Open has found its newest heroine, and her story is still being written.