AUSTRALIAN OPEN 2026, Melbourne, WTA GRAND SLAM

[AnonymousFan]

 

[don_fabio]

Frosty handshake between Cirstea and Osaka. Romanian player was pissed off about Osaka's c'mons, that she felt were unsportsmanslike conduct.

She did similar thing to Ruzic in the 1st round. Btw I am very pleased with the young Croatian player and her level of tennis in a first main draw GS match. Hope we see more of her in the future. She fought well, even had a break and 4:3 lead in the 3rd, before Osaka run away and won last 3 games.

 

[MargaretMcAleer]

That was a Shock as Bencic has been in great form especially in the United Cup, had a great win over Swiatek, hard courts have always been her best surface

 

[MargaretMcAleer]

In regards in the match Osaka v Cirstea's match,

Osaka called 'come on' to herself between Cirstea's first and second serve. The umpire said it was okay as the ball was not in play then.

 

[kskate2]

It's more Naomi being only concerned about herself. She made this a thing by questioning the girl about the handshake. She said and I quote "What was that". Why does it matter how she shook your hand. She didn't not shake it and the true class act she is, she didn't say anything about it until Naomi cornered her.

Then during the oncourt interview w/ Chandra, she had the audacity to say well, she could have said something to me about it. It's not her job to say something about it. How about you be a decent sport and be quiet during the girl serves.

I hope she gets dismissed in the next round so I don't have hear anymore about her fugly outfit and her inadequate come-ons

 

[MargaretMcAleer]

It's more Naomi being only concerned about herself. She made this a thing by questioning the girl about the handshake. She said and I quote "What was that". Why does it matter how she shook your hand. She didn't not shake it and the true class act she is, she didn't say anything about it until Naomi cornered her.

Then during the oncourt interview w/ Chandra, she had the audacity to say well, she could have said something to me about it. It's not her job to say something about it. How about you be a decent sport and be quiet during the girl serves.

I hope she gets dismissed in the next round so I don't have hear anymore about her fugly outfit and her inadequate come-ons

The umpire did say is was okay to say 'come on' on Cirstea's serve as the 'ball was not in play then"

 

[kskate2]

This isn't about what the umpire says. Sorana has to block that out, but maybe she couldn't. Bathroom breaks and timely MTO's aren't against the rules either. That doesn't mean people aren't abusing it.

 

[MargaretMcAleer]

This isn't about what the umpire says. Sorana has to block that out, but maybe she couldn't. Bathroom breaks and timely MTO's aren't against the rules either. That doesn't mean people aren't abusing it.

As far as I am concerned, players have to be able to block out, Sorana in the past has been a 'whinger' on small things, I for one wont miss her when she retires this year

 

[MargaretMcAleer]

May I say in regards to the Osaka incident, noone calls out Iga Swaitek for her shadow swings and shuffles between points and serves? I know what she does is inside the rules, no one says a word? when Osaka pumps herself up ' the tennis world caves in'

 

[Hoergren]

May I say in regards to the Osaka incident, noone calls out Iga Swaitek for her shadow swings and shuffles between points and serves? I know what she does is inside the rules, no one says a word? when Osaka pumps herself up ' the tennis world caves in'

Yeah Osaka is certainly not the worst sinner and most players have their small rituals haven't they. Wonder how many Osaka headgears we'll se in her next match - I think it's fun and brings a bit of life into a match.

 

[MargaretMcAleer]

Yeah Osaka is certainly not the worst sinner and most players have their small rituals haven't they. Wonder how many Osaka headgears we'll se in her next match - I think it's fun and brings a bit of life into a match.

Well she has certainly got the whole media talking with her Jellyfish Bee Keeper outfit

 

[britbox]

Order of Play - 23 Jan 2026

 

[britbox]

Highlight Reels - Day 5 (22 Jan 2026)

 

[kskate2]

May I say in regards to the Osaka incident, noone calls out Iga Swaitek for her shadow swings and shuffles between points and serves? I know what she does is inside the rules, no one says a word? when Osaka pumps herself up ' the tennis world caves in'

Iga's transgressions have been brought up. We've discussed it here numerous times. She maybe a media darling and because of that doesn't get all the flack from them as she should. Besides, she's not a good loser. She usually goes someplace and cries.

My whole point in the Naomi thing is she instigated it by asking the girl about her cold handshake. She should've just her let her alone or asked her about it in the locker room. And to add insult to injury, she basically put the girl on blast by repeatedly saying on national TV that she had an issue w/ her come-ons.

 

[MargaretMcAleer]

A match I am really looking forward to is young rising American Jovic v Paolini (7)
Jovic is a player I really like and she has a really balanced all round game. Thank goodness Jaz has seemed to found her game again
It will be an interesting contest

Another interesting contest will be Mboko another young player on the rise vs Tauson this is their first meeting

 

[MargaretMcAleer]

Iga's transgressions have been brought up. We've discussed it here numerous times. She maybe a media darling and because of that doesn't get all the flack from them as she should. Besides, she's not a good loser. She usually goes someplace and cries.

My whole point in the Naomi thing is she instigated it by asking the girl about her cold handshake. She should've just her let her alone or asked her about it in the locker room. And to add insult to injury, she basically put the girl on blast by repeatedly saying on national TV that she had an issue w/ her come-ons.

I am going to defend Osaka, the umpire already stated that Osaka didnt break any rules of conduct or sportsmanship, stating she said 'come on' when the ball wasnt in play. Having listened to the audio at the end of the match, when Osaka asked what was the cold handshake for, Sorana sarcastically answered 'its about fair play and you have been playing for soo long and you dont know what fair play is"?., still Osaka isnt a player on the tour to bend the rules, she is an introvert, and she said she was sorry in her presser. Sorana has been a continual whinger on the tour, I have never been a fan.

 

[MargaretMcAleer]

This has been a tight contest between Mboko and Tauson, now going 3 sets
In their first meeting Mboko (17) d Tauson (14) 76(50 57 63

 

[MargaretMcAleer]

Sabalenka broken serving for the match at 5-4, Potapova has been competing in this match with a broken finger.....kudos to her
On serve 5 all 2nd set
6 games all 2nd set, TB, Potapova remains aggressive and is not going away in this match
Phew Sabalenka through in 2 tight TB sets over Potapova who can hold her head "high"
Sabalenka d Potapova 76(4) 76(7)

 

[Hoergren]

What a match - Mboko won but Clara did a good job - with faults I know but actually a good match - so doubles here you go

 

[britbox]

Coco Gauff in a tough scrap with Haily Baptiste. She's dropped the first set.