Janice Tjen and Tereza Valentova kicked off Day 3 of the Australian Open with a pair of stunning upsets, sending shockwaves through the tennis world. Valentova, in a display of sheer determination, vanquished No. 30 seed Maya Joint in straight sets, while Tjen, the rising star, dethroned No. 22 seed Leylah Fernandez in a thrilling match. These victories marked a historic moment, as Tjen became the first Indonesian player to win an Australian Open main-draw match since Yayuk Basuki's triumph in 1998. But here's where it gets controversial: despite her impressive win, Tjen's path to the second round wasn't without challenges. She faced a formidable opponent in Fernandez, who mounted multiple comeback attempts, breaking back, getting broken again, and breaking once more when Tjen served for the match. After a tense back-and-forth, Tjen's unwavering focus and impenetrable first serve, particularly in the opening set, secured her victory. With a final score of 6-2, 7-6 (1), Tjen's triumph sets the stage for an intriguing second-round encounter with a former Grand Slam champion, either Karolina Pliskova or Sloane Stephens. The tennis world eagerly awaits the outcome, as Tjen's success continues to inspire and challenge the status quo.
