Sonmez seals the deal as women’s singles main draw set

The 23-year-old made headlines at Wimbledon last year, becoming the first player from Turkey to reach the third round in singles at a Grand Slam in the Open Era. The opportunity to do something similar here is not lost on the world No. 112, who first picked up a tennis racquet to get out of playing basketball.

“She is a tough opponent because her style is a little different, so I had to focus every point individually. I had to, like, give 100 per cent each point, and I’m happy with my performance today,” Sonmez said, adding she was especially proud of her last ace that she knew would seal victory.

“I think it was 30-40 for her, and then we played a good point, and then I hit two aces in a row, so I’m very happy with that.”

Sonmez trained in Dubai over the break, working with new coaching staff.

“I was seeded in the qualies, so it’s good. I played three good matches. It’s good to play more matches in the beginning of the year, so I can get used to the rhythm,” she said.

“After Wimbledon, of course Grand Slams feel more special right now, and I love to play in Australia, I love to play Australian Open.

“I’m a bit tired. We played three matches – if it was a normal tournament, I would be in semifinal right now – and the players that I played against were great players.

“I’m happy that I qualified, and looking forward to playing my first match in the main draw.”

“It was long rallies, very, very different rhythm and it was also about my focus today,” she said.

“I lost a bit of focus on the first set, dropped the set, but actually didn’t give up and was trying just to keep this positive attitude, just to fight for each rally, and then it went through. I started to play maybe more aggressive, maybe more brave, and it worked.”

Kalinina found her rhythm following the hard-fought opening set, and went on to dominate.

“I think it’s more physical,” she laughed when asked if it was brains or brawn that saw her advance over Chwalinska.

“You’re playing a lot of rallies, you run a lot, and you have to stay cold here,” she continued, pointing to her head, “to see the court well, to see what you do, to make right decisions in the right moment.”

Kalinina, who reached the third round of Australian Open 2023, has made multiple second-round appearances at Roland Garros, Wimbledon and the US Open, though is taking the beginning of her 2026 campaign one step at a time.

“I was not thinking about the finish line, I was just thinking about point by point,” she said.

“It was kind of a tough whole week for me because I arrived actually last Thursday, so just seven days working here, and happy to be through and fight in the main draw.

“I believe you can play match by match, focus on your match, on your plan for that match, and just point by point, it’s professional attitude.”

US Open 2017 champion Sloane Stephens also advanced, the American overcoming second-seeded Italian Lucia Bronzetti 6-1 7-5.

Bronzetti thrashed Stephens when the pair last competed against each other three years ago on clay in Rabat, but the 32-year-old exacted revenge on Thursday at Melbourne Park.

“Obviously the last round of qualies is not easy and I haven’t been there in a long time, so a little bit stressful but really happy to get the win and get through,” Stephens said.

“I think I was the only Grand Slam champion to be in qualies, which was interesting, I was like, ‘Oh God, a lot of pressure’, but I was just like it’s an opportunity to go and play and try and figure it out.”

More to come.

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