Storytimes Newspapers

  Iga Swiatek survived a dramatic rollercoaster match to advance to the last 16 (fourth round) of the 2026 Australian Open, overcoming a mid-match dip to defeat 31st seed Anna Kalinskaya in three sets on Saturday, January 24, 2026. The world No. 2 and second seed dominated the opening set 6-1 with near-flawless serving, winning 17 of 20 points behind her delivery. However, Kalinskaya mounted a stunning comeback in the second set, taking it 6-1 as Swiatek's game unraveled with unforced errors and loss of rhythm. The Pole regrouped emphatically in the decider, surging to another 6-1 set to seal a 6-1, 1-6, 6-1 victory in 1 hour and 43 minutes on Margaret Court Arena. This marks Swiatek's progression to the Round of 16 at Melbourne Park, where she continues her pursuit of a maiden Australian Open title—the only major she has yet to win. The win also extends her impressive record of reaching at least the third round at every Grand Slam this decade. Post-match, Swiatek acknowledged ...

 Naomi Osaka has withdrawn from the 2026 Australian Open due to a left abdominal injury, just hours before her scheduled third-round match against Australian qualifier Maddison Inglis. The two-time Australian Open champion (2019 and 2021) announced the withdrawal on Saturday, January 24, 2026, citing the need to prioritize her body's recovery. Osaka, who turns 28 this year, has a history of abdominal issues and noted that her body "has changed," making it difficult to continue competing at the high level required in the tournament. The former world No. 1 had advanced to the third round after hard-fought victories: a three-set win over Antonia Ruzic in the first round and another gritty three-setter against Maria Sakkari in the second, where she battled visible discomfort and illness during the match. Her exit hands Inglis a walkover into the Round of 16 (and effectively the fourth round in some reporting contexts due to the draw progression), guaranteeing the Australian a...