Jacquemot E vs Kostyuk M on January 18
The 2026 Australian Open Women’s tournament is heating up as Émeline Jacquemot faces Marta Kostyuk in a thrilling third-round clash on January 18. Both players will be looking to advance to the quarterfinals, but with contrasting styles and recent performances, this match promises to be a tactical battle. With so much on the line, the question remains: can Jacquemot maintain her momentum, or will Kostyuk’s resilience prove too much on this stage?
Jacquemot E: Tactical Approach and Current Form
Émeline Jacquemot enters this matchup with solid form, winning four of her last five matches. Her serve has been particularly strong, with an impressive first-serve percentage of 76% over the past few tournaments, and she’s been converting 70% of her first serves into points. Jacquemot’s baseline game is her strong suit, often using her heavy groundstrokes to dictate play. She is particularly effective on hard courts, where she can use the speed of the surface to her advantage, hitting deep and pushing her opponents wide, creating space for her forehand.
Key to Jacquemot’s game is her ability to handle pressure in long rallies. Her fitness and endurance are her assets, allowing her to stay engaged during extended exchanges, often forcing errors out of opponents. Jacquemot’s return game is another strength, with a solid return of serve percentage, making her dangerous against Kostyuk's serve. However, her second serve can sometimes be vulnerable, and she must avoid double faults against a player like Kostyuk who is quick to capitalize on any weak second serve.
Jacquemot’s fitness levels have been top-notch recently, and she comes into this match well-prepared physically and mentally, though she’ll need to maintain composure under the intense pressure of facing a higher-ranked opponent.
Kostyuk M: Tactical Approach and Current Form
Marta Kostyuk has been in excellent form, winning four out of her last five matches, with one of those victories coming against a top-10 player. Kostyuk's game is built on aggressive ball striking, and she excels at dictating play early in the rallies. With a first-serve percentage of 74% and an impressive 80% win rate on her first serve, Kostyuk is a powerful server who can put pressure on her opponents right from the start. She uses her aggressive baseline play to take control of rallies early, hitting with both depth and pace, while keeping her opponents on the back foot.
Kostyuk’s ability to transition from defense to offense is one of her standout traits. She possesses a powerful forehand that allows her to dictate the tempo, but she also has a strong backhand, which she uses effectively to counter and take control in rallies. Her return game is effective, but sometimes her reliance on power over placement can lead to unforced errors. In this matchup, she will need to focus on her precision against Jacquemot’s solid baseline game.
Kostyuk’s physical conditioning has been excellent, and she comes into this match having performed well in previous rounds. With her aggressive style and confidence, she will be looking to impose herself from the very start.
Head-to-Head: History and Psychology
Jacquemot and Kostyuk have met once before, with Kostyuk winning that encounter in straight sets. However, the match was played on a clay court, a surface where Jacquemot tends to perform better. On hard courts, Jacquemot has historically been more dangerous, and she will be keen to exact revenge here. In their previous match, Kostyuk’s power and aggressive baseline play proved too much for Jacquemot, but the Frenchwoman has made significant improvements since then. This match will likely be closer, with both players knowing what to expect from each other.
Key Battles and Critical Zones
The key battle in this match will be Jacquemot's return game against Kostyuk’s powerful serve. If Jacquemot can neutralize Kostyuk's serve and force longer rallies, she will have a chance to dictate play. Kostyuk, on the other hand, will need to keep Jacquemot under pressure with her serve and aggressive shot-making, trying to overpower her opponent before the rallies get too long. Another crucial factor will be their mental resilience: both players have a tendency to get frustrated at times, and whoever can maintain focus during crucial points will have the upper hand.
Match Scenario and Prediction
Expect this match to be a fast-paced affair, with Kostyuk looking to establish dominance from the very start with her powerful serve and aggressive baseline play. Jacquemot will attempt to grind through long rallies and find ways to outlast her opponent. While Kostyuk’s power will certainly be a factor, Jacquemot’s consistency and ability to absorb pressure could tip the balance in her favor. If Jacquemot can return Kostyuk’s serve effectively and weather the early storm, she could pull off a close victory in three sets.
Prediction: Jacquemot to win in three sets, with the match likely going over 20 games in total.
Final Thoughts
This match will come down to a clash of styles: Kostyuk’s aggressive power game versus Jacquemot’s consistency and tactical precision. Kostyuk has the edge in firepower, but Jacquemot has been solid under pressure. The question remains: Can Jacquemot disrupt Kostyuk’s rhythm and force her into mistakes, or will Kostyuk’s aggression prove too much on this surface?
