Maddison Inglis delivered an impressive performance at the Australian Open, marking her return to grand slam tennis after a four-year hiatus. The home-grown qualifier triumphed in a thrilling three-set battle against seasoned German player Laura Siegemund, securing her place in the third round. The match, characterized by tenacity and resilience, ended with scores of 6-4, 7-6 (7-3), 7-6 (10-7) after three hours and 20 minutes of gripping play on ANZ Arena.
Inglis’s victory comes as a significant achievement, especially as she stands as the last Australian woman remaining in the singles competition. Following her intense match, she is set to face the winner of the upcoming contest between Naomi Osaka and Sorana Cirstea.
The match showcased Inglis’s determination, especially when the 28-year-old looked poised to lose after failing to serve out the match in the second set. However, she demonstrated remarkable resolve by breaking back when Siegemund served for the match at 5-4 in the final set. Despite displaying signs of distress due to an injury sustained late in the match, Inglis persevered and managed to clinch victory in the first-to-10-point tiebreaker, collapsing to the ground in joy after sealing the win.
“I didn’t come in with high expectations. I can take it to anyone on any given day, but I wouldn’t have dreamed of this,” Inglis expressed. She credited the electric atmosphere and support from the crowd for rejuvenating her energy during the crucial moments of the match. Having not played a match in six weeks prior to this tournament, her performance stands out even more as a testament to her skill and determination.
Throughout this campaign, Inglis has spent a total of more than six hours on-court, including her initial matches in the main draw and previous qualifiers. With an incredible journey ahead, her successful run in the Australian Open has captured the attention of fans and showcases the promising talent in Australian women’s tennis.