Kazakhstan’s second-ranked player Yulia Putintseva (World No. 94) defeated Turkey’s Zeynep Sönmez (112) in a challenging third-round match at the Australian Open 2026, 6-3, 6-7 (3-7), 6-3.
Having secured a break in the second game of the first set, Putintseva took a 2-0 lead. However, her opponent, encouraged by the fans, got back into the match — at 1-3, Sönmez managed to break. Putintseva immediately broke back in the next game, regaining the advantage at 4-2.
Later in the set, the Kazakhstani player forced her opponent into frequent errors by skillfully varying the rhythm and shot directions. Converting two break points in the ninth game, Putintseva won the set on her first set point, 6-3.
In the second set, both players exchanged breaks. The 11th game proved decisive: Putintseva came back from 0-40 to secure another break, taking a 6-5 lead. However, she failed to serve out the match, bringing the score to 6-6. Sönmez then won the tie-break, 7-3.
In the third set, Putintseva established a 3-0 and then 4-1 lead, securing a break and ultimately winning the set and the match in 2 hours 34 minutes, 6-3, 6-7 (3-7), 6-3.
This is the first time Putintseva has reached the fourth round at the Melbourne major, though she previously advanced to the quarterfinals of the US Open and Roland-Garros. She will face the winner of the match between Italy’s Jasmine Paolini (8) and American Iva Jovic (27).
Earlier, Alexander Shevchenko ended his run, following the exits of Dmitry Popko and Zarina Diyas. From Kazakhstan, Elena Rybakina and Alexander Bublik continue their campaigns in the singles draws, while Anna Danilina remains active in both doubles and mixed doubles.
