Zeynep Sönmez Stuns Alexandrova In Australian Open Thriller

Under the blazing Melbourne sun and the electric anticipation of the Australian Open, a new chapter in tennis history unfolded as Turkey’s Zeynep Sönmez staged a dramatic upset and captured the hearts of fans around the world. At just 23 years old, Sönmez has become a beacon of hope and inspiration for Turkish tennis, and her journey at the 2026 Australian Open is already being hailed as one for the ages.

Arriving at the tournament as a qualifier, Sönmez’s path to the main draw was nothing short of dominant. She swept through her three qualifying matches without dropping a single set, conceding just 13 games along the way. This impressive form set the stage for her highly anticipated first-round clash against the formidable No. 11 seed, Ekaterina Alexandrova—a player with a reputation for steamrolling opponents and a history with Sönmez herself, having ended the Turkish star’s breakthrough run at Wimbledon the previous year.

The match, scheduled for a 03:00 GMT start on January 18, 2026, drew an enthusiastic crowd to the 1573 Arena. Turkish fans waved their country’s flag with pride, eager to witness history in the making. The stakes were clear: Sönmez had already become the first Turkish woman in the Open Era to win a match at the Australian Open, but could she go further?

The contest itself was a wild ride, full of momentum swings and jaw-dropping rallies that kept everyone on the edge of their seats for a gripping two hours and thirty-seven minutes. Sönmez found herself in early trouble, trailing 5-2 in the opening set and facing a set point. But with nerves of steel, she launched a stunning comeback, reeling off seven straight games to snatch the set 7-5. According to the official Australian Open channels, Sönmez had been recognized as a “rising star”—and in these moments, she proved exactly why.

The second set saw Sönmez take a 3-1 lead, only for Alexandrova to surge back, winning eight of the next nine games and leveling the match with a 6-4 set of her own. It looked as though the more experienced Russian might pull away, but Sönmez had other ideas. Down 3-0 in the deciding set, she dug deep, producing some of the finest tennis of her career. A highlight came with Alexandrova serving at 3-1, 15-30: Sönmez opened the court with a slicing angled forehand, then drew her opponent to the net with a deft drop shot. Anticipating the reply, she chased down the ball and, at full stretch, rifled a forehand pass for a winner—one of the best points of the day and a clear sign that she was not about to go quietly.

From that moment, the tide turned. Sönmez stormed back to win six of the last seven games, ultimately sealing the match 7-5, 4-6, 6-4 on her fourth match point as Alexandrova netted a backhand. The victory marked the second Top 20 win of Sönmez’s career, following her defeat of Clara Tauson in Beijing the previous year. More importantly, it made her the first Turkish woman in the Open Era to win a match at the Australian Open—an achievement that resonated far beyond the tennis court.

The match was not only remarkable for its tennis but also for a moment of true sportsmanship. Late in the second set, as Alexandrova prepared to serve at 5-3, a ballkid near the umpire’s chair appeared to faint. Without hesitation, Sönmez was the first to rush over, helping the young girl to a courtside seat in the shade and ensuring she received medical attention. Later, Sönmez reflected on the moment, telling BBC Sport, “She was really struggling. She said she was fine but it was really obvious she was not fine. So I went to grab her and said ‘Sit down and drink something, you’re not fine.’ As we were walking she fainted so luckily I grabbed her. She was really shaking. I always say it is more important to be a good human being than a good tennis player. It was just my instinct to help her and I think everyone would do the same. I’m happy I got to help.”

The crowd, already firmly behind Sönmez, erupted in support. After her victory, she celebrated with a jubilant lap around the arena, draping herself in the Turkish flag—a moment that will surely be replayed for years to come in Turkish sporting lore. The significance of her win was not lost on anyone: last year, London’s Turkish diaspora turned out in force as Sönmez became the first Turkish player to reach the third round of a Grand Slam in singles at Wimbledon. Now, she has broken new ground again, this time on the hard courts of Melbourne.

Sönmez’s breakthrough is the result of years of steady progress and relentless determination. She reached a career-high ranking of No. 69 last October and is now bidding to return to the Top 100 with her eyes set firmly on even bigger stages. Her success is not just a personal triumph but a source of pride for Turkey, a country with a burgeoning tennis scene eager for heroes to rally behind.

Her journey to this point has been defined by resilience, humility, and a willingness to seize the moment. The Australian Open’s official channels have been quick to highlight her as a player to watch, and analysts are already speculating about how far she can go in this year’s tournament. With her blend of powerful baseline play, tactical intelligence, and a calm head under pressure, Sönmez looks poised to challenge even higher-ranked opponents as the event unfolds.

Looking ahead, the draw only gets tougher, but Sönmez has shown she relishes the role of underdog. Her victory over Alexandrova, who had halted her Wimbledon run, offers a measure of poetic justice and a reminder that in tennis, anything can happen when belief and opportunity collide. The Turkish flags will continue to wave, and the world will be watching to see if Sönmez can pen yet another historic chapter in Melbourne.

As the Australian Open continues, Zeynep Sönmez stands as a testament to the power of perseverance and the magic of sport. Whether or not she advances further, her place in Turkish tennis history is secure—and for fans both at home and abroad, that’s already a victory worth celebrating.