World No. 2 Iga Swiatek faces Australian qualifier Maddison Inglis in the fourth round of the 2026 Australian Open on Monday. Inglis, ranked 168, has captivated fans with her unlikely run, becoming the first Australian woman to reach this stage since Ash Barty in 2022. Swiatek, a six-time Grand Slam winner, enters as a heavy favorite after dropping just one set.
Maddison Inglis' journey to the fourth round has been nothing short of remarkable. The 28-year-old from Western Australia barely advanced through qualifying, surviving two match points in her first-round qualifier against Leyre Romero Gormaz. She has earned $480,000 so far, describing the run as "life-changing." As the only qualifier left in the draw, Inglis benefited from Naomi Osaka's withdrawal due to a left abdominal injury in the third round, securing her spot without playing.
This marks Inglis' first time reaching the fourth round of a Grand Slam. Previously little-known on the WTA Tour, she has won two main-draw matches after losing her prior 11. Her last victory came two years ago at the Australian Open. Inglis is also riding personal highs, having gotten engaged to mixed doubles partner Jason Kubler on Rottnest Island in December. "The last month has been pretty crazy," she said. "When Jason did ask me, that was such an exciting day... We've been really trying to buy something together - buy a house together. I think this obviously really helps with that and for our future."
Opposing her is Poland's Iga Swiatek, who leads their head-to-head 1-0 from a 6-1, 6-3 win in Adelaide nearly five years ago. Swiatek has been dominant, dropping only one set en route to this clash, and is pursuing her first Australian Open title. At 24, she aims to become the youngest woman to reach six consecutive Grand Slam quarterfinals since Serena Williams in 2002-03. Bookmakers list her as a $1.01 favorite.
Former player John Millman, who once upset Roger Federer, sees a slim chance for Inglis. "It sounds ridiculous, because she's obviously a multi-grand slam winner," Millman said on The Morning Serve. "But I think at times it's fair to say that she can get a little bit flustered... The forehand is the more damaging side, but it is also the side that can break down under a little bit of pressure." He added that Inglis' experience and home crowd support could help, and the prize money will allow her to invest in coaching and a flexible schedule.
Inglis remains optimistic: "I’ll get out there... and do everything I can to take it up to Iga on Monday. It’ll be really fun." The match is scheduled not before 8am GMT on Rod Laver Arena.
