China's Yibing Wu hits a return to Italy's Luca Nardi during their men's singles match on day three of the Australian Open tennis tournament in Melbourne on January 20, 2026. (Photo: AFP)

Chinese qualifier Wu Yibing's run in Melbourne ended on Thursday after his comeback effort fell agonizingly short against American Eliot Spizzirri in the Australian Open second round.

Wu looked down and out after losing the opening two sets before surging back to force a fifth set. But Spizzirri rallied to prevail 6-2, 6-4, 6-7 (4), 4-6, 6-3 in three hours and 43 minutes.

It was heartbreak for Wu, who showed enormous fighting spirit to drag the match to the distance. The 26-year-old backed his attacking instincts and did hit 64 winners, but 77 unforced errors proved costly.

After hauling back into the contest, Wu ran out of gas and he wearily trudged off the court following the match.

World No. 168 Wu will leave encouraged by his form in Melbourne after winning three matches in qualifying to reach the main draw of a Grand Slam for the first time since 2023.

Spizzirri is likely to meet in the last 32 defending champion Jannik Sinner, who will play Australian wildcard James Duckworth in the third round.