Ukraine's top tennis player Marta Kostyuk began her campaign at the 2025 Australian Open on Monday, 13 January. 

Source:Champion, a sports news platform within Ukrainska Pravda’s holding company

Details: Kostyuk faced Japan's 141st-ranked Nao Hibino in the first round of the tournament. Their match, originally scheduled for yesterday, was delayed due to persistent rain.

It’s unclear what exactly went wrong for Marta, but the first set turned into a real struggle for her. She made several mistakes, which Hibino took full advantage of. Five double faults in a set were telling. As a result, Kostyuk lost three service games and the set, 3-6.

Fortunately, Marta regained her confidence in the second set. She played nearly flawlessly, breaking Hibino’s serve once and holding her own. Kostyuk converted both of her break points on Hibino's serve, winning two games from her.

In the final set, Kostyuk showed her full composure, quickly taking a 4-1 lead. After a medical timeout, she clinched the match in a three-set victory.

Next, Marta will face Germany’s Jule Niemeier, who won today against Poland’s Maja Chwalińska.

Background: A few hours earlier, Elina Svitolina secured a win in her first-round match. The second-ranked Ukrainian player comfortably defeated Romania's Sorana Cîrstea.

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