Zhang Shuai's comeback falls short as Wang Meiren secures a commanding victory to advance; Musetti faces a tough battle, while Cilic delivers a double bagel.

Three minutes daily to stay updated on global tennis news. Hello tennis fans, today is Tuesday, January 20, 2026. Welcome to the midday news briefing brought to you by "Tennis Home."

Early this morning Beijing time, the 2026 Australian Open entered its third day of competition. In men's singles, Chinese player Wu Yibing is set to play his first-round match against Italian Nardi around noon. On the women's side, 37-year-old Chinese veteran Zhang Shuai faces 20-year-old local wildcard Capreston at Kia Arena; Wang Xinyu will compete against Ukrainian Kalinina on Court 7. In women's doubles first round, Tang Qianhui and Lumsden take on second seeds Errani and Bovina.

At the time of reporting, the matches involving Zhang Shuai and Wang Xinyu have concluded. Although Zhang Shuai leveled the match by winning the second set 6-2, she could not maintain her form in the deciding set and ultimately lost 3-6, 6-2, 3-6, exiting in the first round.

Wang Xinyu performed excellently, defeating her opponent 6-3, 6-3 to secure her first Australian Open win in three years. She will next await the winner between Ostapenko and Sramkova. Meanwhile, in women's doubles, Tang Qianhui and Lumsden were defeated 3-6, 2-6 by Errani and Bovina, marking a disappointing start for the Chinese doubles team.

Turning back to the men's singles court: In a highlight first-round match this morning Beijing time, Italian star Musetti was fiercely challenged by Argentine opponent Coria. He lost the first set 4-6 and was broken early in the second set, falling behind 1-3. However, the Italian steadied himself, gradually clawed back, and narrowly won the tiebreak 7-3 to even the match. The third set remains tightly contested, tied at 5-5 as of this report. Can Musetti complete the comeback?

His compatriot Sonego advanced with ease, defeating Spain's Taberner 6-4, 6-0, 6-3 without dropping a set. Another Italian, Darderi, secured a tough victory over Chilean star Garin with scores of 7-6, 7-5, 7-6 to reach the second round.

In the first-round matches concluded last night Beijing time, ten-time Australian Open champion Djokovic, Norwegian star Ruud, Monegasque player Vacherot, and local player Tsuchikawa Rinki all advanced in straight sets. Meanwhile, French player A. Muller battled local favorite Poplin in a five-set thriller, ultimately winning the deciding tiebreak 10-4.

Yesterday's men's singles also featured three bagel sets. Besides Chinese young player Shang Juncheng handing one to Agut, Croatian veteran Cilic delivered two bagels himself, dominating German Altmaier 6-0, 6-0, 7-6 to power through to the next round.

On the women's singles side, matches concluded this morning Beijing time saw defending champion and ninth seed Keys defeat Croatian Olinikova 7-6(6), 6-1 to advance. She will next face compatriot Krueger, who beat Czech player Bajerlek 6-3, 6-3. Indonesian top player Zeng Limi caused an upset by defeating 22nd seed Fernandez 6-2, 7-6(1); Czech player Valentova eliminated 30th seed Jonte 6-4, 6-4; Gracheva and Siniakova also won their matches to progress.

In yesterday's first-round matches, Russian rising star Mira Andreyeva overturned Croatian veteran Vekic with a 4-6, 6-3, 6-0 comeback to claim her opening win; Philippine top player Iera, after delivering a 6-0 bagel in the first set, lost the next two sets 3-6, 2-6 and suffered a reversal against young American Parker.

Anisimova, Tauson, Muchova, Jovic, Noskova, Mboko, Tomljanovic, Badosa, Schneider, Mertens, and Kojima Moeka all secured victories and advanced to the second round.

Finally, let’s play a guessing game. The photo below shows a player’s back during leisure time. Without any hints, can you identify who she is?

In the last edition of this guessing game, some fans correctly identified the player. Indeed, the person in the picture is Australian player Jonte.

(Source: Tennis Home Author: Lone Wolf)