Qualifier Bartunkova Shocks Bencic in Australian Open Upset

By Richard Pagliaro | Thursday, January 22, 2026
Photo credit: Australian Open Facebook

Belinda Bencic fell victim to familiar tennis truth: What you don’t know can hurt you.

Qualifier Nikola Bartunkova bounced back from a bagel set to shock Bencic 6-3, 0-6, 6-4 to charge into the Australian Open third round in her Grand Slam main-draw debut.

It’s a stunning setback for Bencic, who tuned up for Melbourne posting a 5-0 record, including victories over Iga Swiatek and Jasmine Paolini, to earn United Cup MVP honors.

Former Olympic gold-medal champion Bencic is the first women’s Top 10 seed to fall from the draw.

The 19-year-old Bartunkova, who beat Russian-born Aussie Daria Kasatkina for her first career major main-draw win in round one, took it to Bencic in the final set today.

At this time last year, Bartunkova was ranked No. 493, but at crunch time today she played with the poise of a veteran. Bartunkova banged 40 winners, 15 more than Bencic, in this match.

Down 2-3 in the decider, Bartunkova pumped an ace and pounded a forehand winner to level at 3-all.

Hugging the baseline, the world No. 126 stepped up to beat Bencic at her own game and score the decisive break. Bartunkova fired four winners in a row to break at 15 for 5-4 and send ANZ Arena fans into roaring approval.

Bartunkova reeled off eight of the last nine points to score her second career Top-50 victory in two hours, 12-minutes.

When Bencic’s final forehand expired in the net, Bartunkova dropped to her knees and patted the blue court with the palm of her hand in joyous celebration.

A standout junior, Bartunkova was the runner-up in the 2023 Wimbledon girls’ singles final, bowing to American Clervie Ngounoue. That run came a year after she reached the Roland Garros girls’ singles semifinals.

Now, Bartunkova is making her mark on the pro level.

The Czech teenager will try to sustain this magical maiden major run when she meets 21st-seeded Elise Mertens, a former AO doubles champion, for a spot in the fourth round.