Day 1 of the 2026 AO was meant to be a fresh chapter for Marta Kostyuk - a chance to build on the sharp, confident form she carried from Brisbane and stamp her presence early in Melbourne. Instead, it turned into a night of history, heartbreak, and an unexpected halt to a promising campaign.

From the very first ball, it was clear that Kostyuk’s opening-round battle with France’s Elsa Jacquemot was going to demand more than just skill. Both women delivered in a way that instantly etched the match into Australian Open history. Three sets, three tiebreaks. 3 hours and 31 minutes! And a final scoreline in favor of world number 60, Jacquemot: 6(4)-7, 7-6(4), 7-6(7).

It became the first women’s singles match at Melbourne Park in the Open era to feature three tiebreak sets since the introduction of final-set breakers in 2019. It also stretched beyond the previous post-2019 duration record of 3 hours and 20 minutes. Setting a new benchmark at this major event.

In the match against Marta Kostyuk, Jacquemot fought through her own moments of fatigue and pressure and eventually secured her first career top-20 win. But for Kostyuk, the loss wasn’t the only setback! 

At 5-6 in the third set, she served to stay in the match, but that’s when the match took a concerning turn. As Kostyuk changed direction mid-point, Kostyuk’s left foot slipped awkwardly. She collapsed to the court, clutching her ankle with a grimace that told the story before the physio even arrived. The crowd fell silent as she received treatment; her ankle was strapped tightly, and she pushed herself back onto the court despite obvious discomfort.

Marta Kostyuk fought on. She forced the match into a 10-point tiebreak. She refused to retire. But then, shortly after leaving the arena following her first-round defeat, the Ukrainian turned to IG to share the news her fans feared.

She wrote, “Unfortunately, I injured my ankle during my match today, and after further tests, torn ligament was confirmed, which means I won’t be able to continue at the Australian Open in doubles with my amazing partner @gabrielaruse.”

Calling the Australian Open “one of her favorite tournaments,” Marta Kostyuk expressed heartbreak but also perspective. She highlighted the strong foundation she built in Brisbane, reminding fans and herself that the season is long and her trajectory remains upward. “Now it’s time to focus on recovery, and I’m excited to be back on court as soon as possible.”

As Kostyuk turns her attention to recovery, there’s every reason to believe she’ll return sharper, hungrier, and more determined to reclaim the momentum that was just beginning to build. But what did her opponent say after securing this big win against the world number 20?

Marta Kostyuk’s opponent shares her thoughts about the first-round battle

After a turbulent 2025 season in which she slipped from number 18 to number 36 before finishing the year at number 26, Marta Kostyuk began 2026 determined to chart a clear path forward. This time, she had set a specific benchmark: finish the year inside the Top 10.

“I want to finish the year in the Top 10. I've never set a goal like this before, a clear goal in my head. I still don't think it's the right thing to do, to focus on the rankings because the most important thing is to develop yourself and your game. Then the rankings will just be a consequence of the work that you do.”

Her ultimate goal is obviously to win a Grand Slam title. But despite showcasing a strong fight, she missed a good chance of making a long run in Melbourne. For France’s Elsa Jacquemot, who is fighting for a breakthrough, the match was not only a victory, it was validation. 

During her post-match interview, Jacquemot said, “It was a crazy match. Marta played so good. So I'm very happy to win this match. It is not easy.” How difficult was it to navigate through the stoppages in the middle of this long battle?

Talking about keeping the concentration intact, she added, “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.”

For Marta Kostyuk, the defeat and the injury setback surely make her Top 10 goal a bit challenging now. But on the other hand, Jacquemot now sets up a second-round clash against Yulia Putintseva. What are your thoughts on this epic first-round clash, though? Share your views on this hard-fought battle in the comment box.

Written by

Sayantan Roy

Sayantan Roy is a seasoned tennis journalist at EssentiallyTennis. He brings a deep tactical understanding to his coverage, breaking down head-to-head records, match dynamics, and on-court strategies with precision. For more than two years, Sayantan has been a key member of the Live Events desk, delivering real-time insights and data-backed predictions for the platform’s Matchday Preview section. His analytical approach has sparked editorial debates and drawn recognition from respected tennis voices, including commentator and analyst Olly_Tennis. Combining his experience in writing with a passion for insightful sports journalism, Sayantan’s work serves as a trusted reference point for tennis fans around the world.

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