West Australian tennis star Maddison Inglis has delivered a stunning performance at the Australian Open, advancing to the third round with a dramatic victory over top 50 player Laura Siegemund. The 28 year-old from WA showcased remarkable resilience in a tense three-set battle that lasted over three hours at Melbourne Park.
Inglis Surprises Herself with Epic Win
Ranked world No.168, Inglis entered the tournament with modest expectations after not playing a competitive match for six weeks. However, she produced one of the biggest upsets of the tournament so far, defeating Siegemund 6-4 6-7 7-6 in a marathon encounter that tested both players physically and mentally.
"Coming into this tournament, I hadn't played a match for six weeks. I didn't come in with high expectations," Inglis confessed after her remarkable victory. "I know I'm a good player. I can take it to anyone on any day. But I couldn't have dreamt of this, and I can't believe it."
Nerve-Wracking Final Tiebreaker
The match reached its climax in a deciding 10-point tiebreaker that had spectators on the edge of their seats. Inglis held four match points before Siegemund fought back to win two consecutive points. The West Australian then demonstrated exceptional court craft, working her German opponent around the court before finally securing victory and collapsing on the surface in emotional celebration.
This achievement equals Inglis's career-best performance at a grand slam, matching her 2022 appearance where she also reached the last 32. Her victory follows another hard-fought three-set win against fellow Australian Kimberly Birrell in the first round.
Potential Showdown with Naomi Osaka
Inglis now becomes the last Australian woman standing in the tournament and has set up a potential third-round clash with two-time Australian Open champion Naomi Osaka. The Japanese superstar, seeded 16th, was scheduled to face Sorana Cirstea later on Thursday, with the winner set to meet Inglis.
"That will be cool. She's obviously a really tough player," Inglis said about the prospect of facing Osaka. "Maybe we'll be on a nice court again like this. I'm so stoked that I get to come here out again and play another match."
Preston's Brave Exit
Meanwhile, fellow West Australian Taylah Preston bowed out of the tournament despite putting up a brave fight against world No.13 Linda Noskova. The rising star from Greenwood Tennis Club took a set off her highly-ranked opponent before eventually falling 2-6 6-4 2-6.
Despite the 148 ranking spots separating the two players, Preston demonstrated why she's considered one of Australia's most promising young talents. After dropping the first set in just over thirty minutes, she recovered brilliantly in the second, breaking Noskova twice including in the final game to level the match.
Challenging Opponent's Serve
The 21 year-old Czech player proved difficult to break throughout the match, serving 11 aces and winning 67 percent of points on her first serve. Preston's exit followed similar second-round losses by other West Australian players Storm Hunter and Talia Gibson, who also put up commendable performances against tough opposition.
Inglis's remarkable run continues to capture the attention of tennis fans across Australia, with her unexpected success providing one of the tournament's most inspiring stories. Her journey represents a significant achievement for West Australian tennis and demonstrates the depth of talent emerging from the state's development programs.
