Keys ran into early trouble at Rod Laver Arena, conceding a double break with early double faults, and while she leveled at 4-4 the American was then dragged into a tiebreak where Oliynykova caused more chaos with her deep, looping shots.
The plucky Ukrainian put two set points ahead, but Keys erased the deficit with some trademark big shots to eventually take a thrilling tiebreak, punctuating her escape with a roar.
The shift in momentum was confirmed when ninth seed Keys took a 3-0 lead in the second set and the 30-year-old took victory on serve to set up a second-round meeting with compatriot Ashlyn Krueger.
Tjen is the first Indonesian to win the Australian Open in 28 years
Janice Tjen called it ‘special’ after she became the first Indonesian to win a match at the Australian Open in 28 years on Tuesday (January 20, 2026).
The unseeded Tjen stunned Canadian 22nd seed Leylah Fernandez 6-2, 7-6 (7/1) to reach the second round in Melbourne and add to her growing list of milestones.
Tjen, who was ranked 413th this time last year but is now ranked 59th in the world, is the first Indonesian to win a match at the Major since Yayuk Basuki in 1998.
Indonesia’s Janice Tjen of Indonesia reacts during her first round match against Leylah Fernandez of Canada at the Australian Open tennis championship in Melbourne, Australia, on January 20, 2026 | Photo credit: AP
“I am very happy to be part of history and achieve a victory for Indonesia here,” said the 23-year-old.
“It was special, especially that I could do this in the presence of my family, there were many Indonesians here, and my good friends are also here.”
When asked by AFP how her life off the court had changed since the breakthrough in 2025, she said: “I get recognized a little bit here and there and I like it, it’s a nice feeling to be recognised.”
In front of the noisy Indonesia fans, Tjen made a lightning start and sealed the first set in 36 minutes, leaving her higher-ranked opponent from Canada reeling.
Tjen took advantage of an early break in the second set to immediately put Fernandez, number two in the 2021 US Open, behind.
The fourth game of the second set threatened to be crucial, Tjen dug herself out of a hole by holding her own serve and taking a 3-1 lead.
The 23-year-old Fernandez fought back and won three games in a row to turn the tide.
The warring duo headed into a tiebreak, where Tjen took a 3-0 lead and never looked back, letting out a powerful roar as victory was confirmed.
Tjen’s career took off in 2025.
She pulled off another surprise by upsetting Russian No. 24 Veronika Kudermetova in a qualifying match at the US Open.
In New York she was the first Indonesian to participate in the main draw of a Grand Slam since 2004.
The Jakarta native took the title in Chennai last year – the first Indonesian to win a WTA Tour singles title since 2002.
Reflecting on the support in Melbourne from Indonesian fans waving their red and white flag and singing, Tjen said: “It’s something special and feels a bit like home.
“Knowing that many Indonesians came to support me today means a lot.”
Shelton overpowers Humbert in the southpaw battle
American eighth seed Ben Shelton relied on his strength and tiebreak skills to beat Ugo Humbert 6-3 7-6(2) 7-6(5) in an enthralling battle of lefthanders at Rod Laver Arena to reach the second round of the Australian Open.
Shelton, who lost to eventual champion Jannik Sinner in the semifinals last year, powered through the first set, but the Frenchman fought back in the second and third sets to force tiebreaks.
But that was where the American had the upper hand, banking on his experience last year when he was involved in eight tiebreaks in six matches at Melbourne Park.
“I thought I just played two great tiebreakers. I’ve played a lot of tiebreakers here, a lot of experience, and I think that helped me a lot today,” Shelton said.
Shelton lit up the field from the start, thundering at 140 mph (229 km/h) on just the second point of the game and breaking through early to take a 3-1 lead.
One massive delivery hit Humbert flush on the arm, prompting an immediate apology from Shelton, although the message of intent was clear as the Frenchman struggled to deal with the sustained power coming from across the net.
Shelton also produced a moment of brilliance when he squeezed an unlikely return between a ball boy and the net post to steal a point, before closing the set with a sharp crosscourt forehand winner.
After being outplayed for 75 minutes, Humbert suddenly matched Shelton in the second set as they traded breaks and the American’s unforced error count increased.
Despite trailing two breaks in the second set, a resilient Humbert fought his way back to level, but his razor-sharp returns let him down when it mattered most in the tiebreak as Shelton raced into a two-set lead.
The third set became a serving masterclass, with both players giving no quarter on their first serve and break points in short supply as they headed into a second tiebreak, where Humbert jumped to a 3-0 lead.
But Shelton clawed his way back before letting out a triumphant shout as he fired a forehand winner down the line on match point, handing Humbert a first defeat in four Grand Slam matches against a lefthander.
“I thought I stayed really calm today… Playing Ugo’s first round is a tough draw,” Shelton added.
“I felt like I found some of my better tennis later in the match and that’s all you can hope for. I’m looking forward to continuing this form and getting better and better throughout the tournament.”
Expectant father Ruud ready to walk away
Casper Ruud is aiming for a fourth Grand Slam final at the Australian Open, but he’s ready to pull the pin and run like a madman home when he gets a call from his heavily pregnant wife.
The twelfth-seeded Norwegian is in the second round at Melbourne Park, but admits his focus is not entirely on the tournament.
Wife Maria is expecting their first child any moment and he is willing to put everything aside to be with her for the birth.
“I have to thank Maria for letting me go at all. I know she is at home resting and getting ready,” said Ruud, who reached the final twice at the French Open and once at the US Open.
“Except when I’m playing a match, the ringer (on my phone) is on all day, just in case.
“If she goes into labor, I probably won’t be here the next day,” he added.
“But that’s how it goes. There’s more to life than just tennis, but I’ll stay here as long as I can and as long as Maria lets me.”
Former world number two Ruud will play against Spaniard Jaume Munar in the second round.
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