Day 7 of the 2026 Australian Open concluded third-round action in the women’s singles draw, locking in the second-week line-up in Melbourne. Seven matches were played across Rod Laver Arena, John Cain Arena, Margaret Court Arena, and the show courts, with several contenders tested as the stakes increased. While the seeds largely held firm, the day featured momentum swings, disciplined performances under pressure, and an unfortunate injury withdrawal involving a former champion.
Naomi Osaka’s Australian Open campaign came to a disappointing end as the Japanese star was forced to withdraw from her third-round match against Maddison Inglis due to a left abdominal injury. Osaka had shown encouraging signs earlier in the tournament but was unable to continue, marking a second consecutive year she exits Melbourne at the same stage. It was another frustrating setback as she continues her search for sustained fitness and rhythm.
Australian Open Day 7 Women’s Recap
Who Looked Good
Defending champion Madison Keys continued her dominant run at the Australian Open with a composed 6-3 6-3 victory over Karolina Pliskova. Keys has yet to drop a set this year, and her blend of controlled aggression and improved shot tolerance once again proved decisive. She dictated play with her forehand and applied constant pressure on return, preventing Pliskova from finding rhythm on serve.
After trading holds through much of the second set, Keys delivered the decisive blow by breaking serve late at 3-4 before confidently serving out the match. Pliskova struggled to earn cheap points, while Keys’ depth and consistency forced errors at crucial moments. Another efficient straight-sets win sends a clear message to the rest of the field: the defending champion looks settled, sharp, and firmly in control as the second week approaches.
Amanda Anisimova sent a strong statement with a dominant 6-1 6-4 victory over Peyton Stearns in an all-American showdown. Anisimova controlled proceedings from the baseline, breaking serve multiple times in the first set to claim it emphatically. She maintained her composure and aggression in the second, overcoming any brief resistance to close out the match efficiently despite the heat. This polished performance highlights her growing confidence and power game, marking her as another player hitting peak form heading into the second week.
Fifth seed Elena Rybakina enjoyed a comfortable straight-sets victory over young Czech Tereza Valentova. Rybakina controlled the match from the outset, using her serve and flat groundstrokes to keep Valentova on the defensive throughout. The teenager showed flashes of promise, but Rybakina’s first-strike tennis ensured a routine passage into the second week.
Who Looked Bad
Second seed Iga Swiatek was pushed into a rare third set by Anna Kalinskaya and looked uncharacteristically shaky in the middle of the match before regaining control to secure a 6-1 1-6 6-1 victory on Margaret Court Arena. Swiatek dominated the opening set, but her level dipped sharply in the second as Kalinskaya stepped inside the court and capitalised on a spike in unforced errors from the Pole.
With the momentum briefly swinging away, Swiatek reset impressively in the decider. She rediscovered her depth and intensity, overwhelming Kalinskaya with heavy topspin and relentless pressure to race through the final set. While her response underlined her ability to problem-solve under pressure, the mid-match flutter exposed rare vulnerability for the world #2 at this stage.
Match of the Day
Unseeded Wang Xinyu produced one of the standout upsets of the tournament so far, defeating #13 seed Linda Noskova 7-5 6-4 to reach the fourth round. Wang absorbed Noskova’s power impressively and consistently found depth from the baseline, preventing the Czech from dictating with her forehand. The Chinese player served well under pressure and showed excellent shot tolerance, particularly in longer rallies.
The key moments came late in both sets. Wang broke at 5-5 in the opener after a series of extended exchanges and backed it up with a composed hold. In the second set, she remained patient as Noskova searched for a way back, forcing errors at crucial moments to seal a calm and mature straight-sets win. This disciplined performance marks Wang as a rising threat in the draw.
Main photo credit: Mike Frey-Imagn Images
