Australian Open 2026, Day 3 Highlights: Osaka's advances, Tsitsipas survives scare

The striking ensemble was designed by fashion creator Robert Wun, known for styling outfits worn by stars such as Beyonc, Cardi B and Ariana Grande. The concept stemmed from an idea Osaka envisioned while reading to her two-year-old daughter, Shai.

How good was that Naomi Osaka outfit? The Japanese star bounced back to win her opening-round in three sets. And that means, we will get more of these funky outfits from one of the sport's greatest entertainers. 

“Nike let me design this one. It’s modelled after a jellyfish. I’m so grateful that I get to do the things that I love. It’s really beautiful," Osaka said. 

“There’s a butterfly on the hat. There’s a butterfly on the umbrella too. It has to do with the Australian Open I won in 2021, which I guess is a long time ago.”

Stefanos Tsitsipas battles back from a set down to win his first-round match.

The 31st seed, who is hoping for a comeback this season, beats unseeded Shintaro Mochizuki of Japan 4-6, 6-3, 6-2, 6-2 in 2 hours and 57 minutes.

She was made to work hard by lower-ranked Antonia Ruzic. She defeats Ruzic 6-3, 3-6, 6-4 in two hours and 22 minutes. 

A solid effort from the 16th seed. 

And of course, the Japanese star is talking about her dress that went viral. 

Noami Osaka is battling hard here. After winning the first set, she lost the second 3-6. Osaka is now ahead 5-4 in the final set of her women's singles match. 

She is putting pressure on Ruzic, who is struggling to serve this out and make it 5-5. 

Hugo Gaston has retired out in the third set against Jannik Sinner due to an achilles heel issue. As a result, the two-time defending champion has got his campaign up and running as he makes his way into round 2. Sinner had won the first two sets 6-2, 6-1.

Jannik Sinner beats Hugo Gaston 6-2, 6-1

Jannik Sinner hardly broke a sweat in the first set against Hugo Gaston, comfortably winning it 6-2 at the Rod Laver Arena. The Italian broke his opponent twice and made lightwork of Gaston weaving the magic through his racquet with impeccable dexterity.

Jannik Sinner wins first set 6-2 vs Hugo Gaston

World No. 2 Jannik Sinner, the defending champion, is out on the Rod Laver Arena. He takes on World No. 91 Hugo Gaston in the opening round. 

This is the first meeting between the Italian star and the Frenchman since 2021. Sinner has a 2-0 record against Gaston, having won both their previous matches in straight sets. 

Another straight-set win for Sinner? 

That's the end of Gaël Monfils' Australian Open journey. 

The 39-year-old Frenchman, featuring in his last Australian Open, loses to Australian qualifier, World no. 182, Dane Sweeny.

Monfils won the opening set 7-6 (3), but he lost in four sets in three hours and 51 minutes. 

The Kia Arena crowd is thrilled for Dane Sweeny. 

But, they also stay back to cheer for Monfils, who has been a crowd favourite whereever he has played. 

He is only among the six men who have played 20 editions of the Australian Open. 

24-year-old American Eliot Spizzirri takes out 28th seeded and highly-rated 19-year-old Joao Fonseca 4-6, 6-2, 1-6, 2-6. 

It is the first time Fonseca has lost in the first round of a Grand Slam match. He was 4-0 before this. 

Fonseca did not look at his best fitness as he had pulled out of preparatory tournaments for the Australian Open due to health concerns. 

India's Niki Kaliyanda Poonacha has been knocked out in the first roun of his men's doubles fixture alongside his Thai partner Pruchya Isaro. The duo was undone by the Spanish pair of Pedro Martinez and Jaume Munar, who won the second set 5-7. 

Pedro Martinez/Jaume Munar beat 7-6 (7-3), 7-5 Niki Kaliyanda Poonacha/ Pruchya Isaro at Court 14

With the local crowd cheering him on, Dane Sweeney is going from strength to strength in his first round fixture of the Australian Open 2026 against Gael Monfils. The 24-year-old is giving Monfils a run for his money, putting on an excellent exhibition of strokes at the Kia Oval. He carries the momentum from second set to win the third one as well and looks well on course to close out the match against a tired Monfils.

Dan Sweeney wins third set 6-4 vs Gael Monfils

India's Niki Kaliyanda Poonacha has lost his first set of the men's doubles first round fixture alongside his Thai partner Pruchya Isaro. The duo was undone by the Spanish pair of Pedro Martinez and Jaume Munar, who sealed the first set via tie breaker. 

Pedro Martinez/Jaume Munar wins first set 7-6 (7-3) vs Niki Kaliyanda Poonacha/ Pruchya Isaro at Court 14

Dane Sweeny has made a remarkable comeback in the second set as he seals it with great composure. Despite being a break-down, Sweeny pushed Gael Monfils to a corner and snatched the set from the Frenchman's hands. The crowd is loving the fierce competition at the Kia Oval with the game firmly in balance.

Dane Sweeny wins 2nd set 7-5 vs Gael Monfils

The Kia Oval crowd is enjoying this one. Gael Monfils was up 5-3 in the second set, having an opportunity to serve out the set and take a 2-0 lead in his first-round match.

However, young Dane Sweeny, a qualifier, breaks back, much to the delight of the local crowd. He is hanging in there. 

Sweeny is showing spark. Is he emotionally matured to nick a set off Monfils? 

Gael Monfils wins the opening set after a tie-breaker against local qualifier Dane Sweeny. He takes it 7-6 (3) as the first-round match ticks over the hour mark. 

Monfils has always been a crowd favourite wherever he has played. 

But, today, the fans at Kia Arena have to make a tough call. They have a young Australian playing on the other side of the net. 

The youngster, ranked 182, has given a good account of himself so far. 

Ben Shelton, the eighth seed takes out Ugo Humbert 6-3, 7-6 (2), 7-6 (5). 

It was one of the toughest opening-round matches for Shelton. Humbert, ranked in the top 50, tried to raise his intensity after going down in the first set. He pushed Shelton to tie-breakers in two sets, but was unable to stretch it past three sets.

Shelton is thrilled. Can he go deep into the second week in Melbourne this year? 

Novak Djokovic sparked laughter and headlines on Monday after teasing that Carlos Alcaraz’s newly revealed serve motion bore such a resemblance to his own that it might deserve a copyright claim. The 38-year-old Serbian, fresh off a dominant opening-round win in the 2026 Australian Open, joked that he had already contacted the world No. 1 about the similarities — and even suggested he deserved a cut of any aces Alcaraz serves this fortnight.

“As soon as I saw it, I sent him a message,” Djokovic said after his straight-sets victory.

“I said, we have to speak about the copyrights. Then when I saw him here, I told him we have to talk about percentage of his winnings. Every ace I expect, you know, a tribute to me.

(What has changed with Alcaraz's serving style?)

Frenchman Gael Monfils is in action in his first-round match against World No. 182 and qualifier Dane Sweeny. Monfils, like Stan Wawrinka, is playing the Australian Open for one last time. 

Known for being one of the finest entertainers on the court, Monfils has created a rich legacy.

Can he bow out with a good run?

He is locked at 5-5 in the first set against Sweeny. 

Another terrific set for Ben Shelton. Ugo Humbert was looking to break free and take the second set, but the American left-hander has won the tie-breaker.

He is up 6-3, 7-6 (2).

Humbert has asked for a toilet break, I suppose. He is hoping to give himself some time and get back into this contest. 

Meanwhile, Shelton is taking refugee under a shade at Rod Laver Arena. The weather is Melbourne has been harsh.