Turkiye’s Zeynep Sonmez Advances to Third Round at Australian Open 2026

Zeynep Sonmez, the rising tennis star from Turkiye, has stormed into the third round of the Australian Open 2026 after a commanding straight-sets victory over Hungary’s Anna Bondar. This achievement marks Sonmez’s second Grand Slam third-round appearance in just six months, highlighting her growing presence on the international tennis stage.

Competing at one of Melbourne Park’s smaller show courts, world No. 112 Sonmez clinched a 6-2, 6-4 triumph over Bondar in a 90-minute match on Wednesday. Her performance thrilled spectators as she demonstrated both skill and composure under pressure.

Sonmez, who made history last year at Wimbledon by becoming the first Turkish player to reach a Grand Slam third round, basked in the deafening applause from the crowd on Court 7. Red flags waved proudly as fans chanted her name relentlessly, creating an atmosphere that Sonmez described as “like being at home.”

In a post-match interview, the 23-year-old from Istanbul reflected on the support she received:

“I really appreciated that so many Turkish people were here cheering. In the beginning, I was a little nervous, but once I settled into the match, I felt completely in control.”

She added,

“The energy on the court was incredible. I felt the support from everyone, and it truly felt like we were all playing together.”

Sonmez will face a formidable opponent in the fourth round as she goes up against Kazakhstan’s Yulia Putintseva, ranked 94th in the world. Despite the challenge, Sonmez can expect her fans to continue cheering her on, as the level of support she has received in Australia has surpassed anything she experienced in previous tournaments.

“At Wimbledon, there were also many fans supporting me, and during my first round here, too. But today’s support was extraordinary—I’ve never experienced anything like it,” Sonmez said.

The Turkish crowd’s fervor was so intense that Sonmez admitted she “couldn’t even hear her own thoughts” during the match. Her strong connection with fans is fueled further by knowing that people back home are watching her play in the early hours of the morning.

“I know they’re supporting me from home, even at 3 a.m. Many people wake up just to watch my matches, and that motivates me even more,” she said.

Earlier in the tournament, Sonmez won hearts by rushing to the aid of a ball girl who fainted due to the punishing Melbourne heat, demonstrating both her sportsmanship and empathy on and off the court.

With her remarkable rise and the unwavering support of her fans, Zeynep Sonmez continues to inspire tennis enthusiasts in Turkiye and around the world as she seeks to make history at the Australian Open 2026.