Thunderbolt in Melbourne!
World No.1 Iga Swiatek was eliminated in the round of 16 of the Australian Open by Kazakh Elena Rybakina (25th) 6-4, 6-4 in 1:29 on Sunday.
The Polish, semi-finalist last year and big favorite of the tournament, was overtaken by the Wimbledon champion.
“I served very well and played very well in the important moments.
It's a big victory for me, ”rejoiced the Kazakh of Russian origin, born 23 years ago in Moscow.
World No.1 Iga Swiatek suffered a third fourth round loss in four #AusOpen visits on Sunday.
As her season progresses, the 3x Grand Slam champion will look to draw on 2022 as inspiration for greater success.
#AO2023
— #AusOpen (@AustralianOpen) January 22, 2023
She managed 24 winners (against 15 for Swiatek) and won four break points out of the six played on her opponent's service, when the latter only managed to make two of her four break points.
Gauff also takes the door
Rybakina, who had never passed the third round in three participations so far in the Australian Major, will face in the next round the Latvian Jelena Ostapenko (17th) who fell Coco Gauff (7-5, 6-3).
She settled in early in the match by taking Swiatek's first service game to lead 2-0.
But the Polish recovered at 2-2.
The Kazakh then managed the decisive break to lead 4-3 and win the set on a white service game punctuated by an ace.
The Pole seemed to regain the upper hand in the second set by breaking away 3-0.
But she lost her face-off twice and allowed Rybakina to serve for the match at 5-4.
The tall Kazakh (1.83m) seized her chance and chained an ace, the sixth of the game, and a winning forehand to end the game.