A bridge too far for Maddison Inglis

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In a highly anticipated fourth-round clash at the Australian Open, Australian tennis player Maddison Inglis faced off against world no. 2 Iga Swiatek. The match, held on the iconic hard courts of Melbourne Park, showcased the stark contrast in experience and ranking, as Swiatek demonstrated her dominance with a commanding performance.

A photo of Australian tennis player Maddison Inglis at the Australian Open tennis tournament, round one of qualifying
Australia’s Maddison Inglis during a round one qualifying match at the 2026 Australian Open

Inglis went into the match as the world no. 168. She was match hardened after winning three qualifying matches and two match draw matches, but not she was in a whole new situation.

This was the big time on Rod Laver Arena, and in a night match.

From the outset, it was clear that Swiatek was in formidable form. The Polish star, known for her powerful groundstrokes and tactical prowess, quickly took control of the match. Inglis, despite her best efforts, struggled to find her rhythm against the relentless pressure applied by Swiatek.

The first set was a testament to Swiatek’s skill, as she raced to a 6-0 victory, leaving Inglis searching for answers.

Swiatek didn’t face a break point in a dominant first set. Inglis was broken on three occasions.

Maddison Inglis Opens Second Set With a Break

As the second set unfolded, Inglis showed resilience and determination, managing to find her footing and put up a fight.

She showcased glimpses of her talent, hitting some impressive shots, breaking Swiatek in the opening game and holding her serve more effectively towards the end of the second set.

However, Swiatek’s experience and composure shone through, allowing her to maintain the upper hand. The set concluded with a score of 6-3 in favor of the Polish star, sealing the match in straight sets.

While the result may not have been what Inglis had hoped for, her journey to the fourth round of the Australian Open is a significant achievement in itself.

Competing against one of the best players in the world is no small feat, and Inglis can take pride in her performance throughout the tournament.

As Iga Swiatek advances to the next round, she continues to solidify her status as a top contender for the title. For Maddison Inglis, this match serves as a valuable learning experience, and with her talent and determination, the future looks bright for the young Australian.

The Australian Open continues to deliver thrilling matches, and fans eagerly await the next chapter in this year’s tournament.

Inglis takes home AUD 480,000 and collected 280 rankings points. That takes her ranking up to world no. 113, just short of her career high of no. 112.

The Australian said the prizemoney will make a huge difference as she can better fund her tennis career.

“It’s um it’s a lot of money. It’s yeah, the most prize money I’ve ever received in one tournament. So yeah, it’s pretty pretty cool. And I’ll definitely use a lot of it to invest back into my tennis and, you know, have some people on the road with me to support me and make, you know, some weeks a bit easier with, you know, family or friends,” said Inglis at the press conference.

It has been an amazing journey for Maddison Inglis at the Australian Open.

View the Match Centre at the Australian Open website – Round 4 – Maddison Inglis v (2) Iga Swiatek.

Also read – Four Aussies qualify including love match
Maddison Inglis wins all-Australian battle and joins three other Aussies in round two

You can find old photos of Maddison Inglis at the Robicia Tennis Photography website.

Photo of Australian tennis player Maddison Inglish playing a match in Canberra, October 2019.
Canberra – 30 October: Maddison Inglis in a round three qualifying match. (Photo by Rob Keating – http://robiciatennis.com)