Alex De Minaur could only watch on as partner Katie Boulter crashed out of the Australian Open.

Day three of the Australian Open is over, and once again, there has been no shortage of action in Melbourne.

Icons of the game took to the stage as Naomi Osaka and Jannik Sinner got their campaigns up and running, but it proved a difficult day for the Brits. Sonay Kartal and Katie Boulter both made their exits in first-round defeats, as neither was able to overcome their underdog status against seeded stars Anna Kalinskaya and Belinda Bencic.

Two-time defending champion Sinner played just two sets as his opponent, Hugo Gaston, was forced to retire mid-match. The Italian star is seeded second in the tournament for 2026.

Osaka caught the attention of all-comers with her stunning attire and was able to impress with her ability on the court too. The 2019 and 2021 champion didn't have it all her own way but came through against Antonia Ruzic 6-3, 3-6, 6-4.

It was a bold fashion choice from Naomi Osaka as she walked onto the court on Tuesday.

She held a white umbrella and wore a white veil over a wide-brimmed hat, her frilly blue-and-white Nike outfit. It drew a jellyfish comparison but included a butterfly, pointing to the animal which famously landed on her face during the 2021 tournament.

Osaka also had a warm-up jacket in the same style as she prepared to face Ruzic.

Hugo Gaston was left in tears as he decided to retire after struggling with a wrist injury.

The Frenchman was unable to challenge Jannik Sinner after a heavy fall earlier in the match and the contest drew to a close after two sets.

Sinner consoled his devastated opponent and spent just 68 minutes on court as he got his defence underway.

Katie Boulter fell in the first round in Melbourne as the 10th seed, Belinda Bencic prevailed 6-0, 7-5.

The world number 113 only got a spot in Melbourne following a main draw withdrawal, and was unable to progress against the two-time major semi-finalist.

Boulter's boyfriend, Alex De Minaur, was very visibly disappointed after seeing her defeat.

The Aussie already came through his first round match and next faces Hamad Meedjedovic.

There was disappointment for Sonay Kartal against Anna Kalinskaya.

After pushing her opponent to a tie break in the opening set, the 24-year-old could not stop Kalinskaya as she raced to a 6-1 scoreline in the second set.

Oleksandra Oliynykova could not overcome defending champion Madison Keys but offered a talking point due to her striking face tattoos.

The world number 92 revealed that the flowers were temporary tattoos with no meaning. She had an altogether more powerful message in her press conference, however.

Oliynykova wore a t-shirt with a powerful plea:"I need your help to protect Ukrainian women and children but I can't talk about it here."

Taylor Fritz got his tournament underway with a test against French star Valentin Royer. The American required a tie-break and lost a set before pulling away to victory 7-6, 5-7, 6-1, 6-3.