Kazakhstani tennis player Alexander Shevchenko (World No. 97) started his run at the Australian Open 2026 with a victory. In a lengthy match in hot weather, Shevchenko defeated Sweden’s first-ranked player, Elias Ymer (175), with 3-6, 7-5, 6-4, 6-1.
At the Australian Open 2026 draw, which took place on Jan. 15, Shevchenko was assigned with qualifier unknown at that time, who later became Sweden’s 29-year-old Ymer, who defeated one-by-one Australia’s Alex Bolt (171) with 7-6 (7-4), 7-6 (7-5); Denmark’s Elmer Møller (119) with 4-6, 6-4, 7-5; and Hong Kong’s Coleman Wong (132) 7-6 (7-4), 4-6, 6-3.
Ymer started well, breaking Shevchenko’s serve in the fourth game of the first set. The Swede went on to win 6-3.
The second set featured long rallies and exchanged breaks, before Shevchenko secured another break at the decisive moment to win it 7-5. A similar development happened in the third set. One break by the Kazakhstani player at 5-4 was enough to take advantage in sets 2-1.
After that, Ymer lost two games in a row and requested a medical timeout after feeling unwell. He received prolonged treatment from the medical staff.
Following the medical break, Ymer managed to win one game but was unable to continue at full strength. Shevchenko won in three and a half hours, 3-6, 7-5, 6-4, 6-1. The Kazakhstani recorded nine aces to Ymer’s one, led 5-2 in breaks and finished ahead in total points, 137-125.
In the second round, Shevchenko will face the winner of the match between Americans Learner Tien (29) and Marcos Giron (51).
The Australian Open is an annual hard-court Grand Slam tournament and the first of the four majors in the calendar year.
