Wimbledon champion Elena Rybakina has ousted world No.1 Iga Swiatek from the Australian Open with a surprising fourth-round victory at Rod Laver Area.
Swiatek was the recent favourite to say her first Melbourne Park title and fourth grand slam crown however had no solutions to the big-serving 22nd seed Rybakina, who triumphed 6-Four 6-Four on Sunday.
The Russian-born Kazakh had by no means gone additional than the Open’s third spherical earlier than this yr however confirmed spectacular poise when it mattered, together with successful the second set after trailing 3-0.
In reaching the quarter-finals, Rybakina additionally snapped defending French and US Open champion Swiatek’s 10-match successful run at grand slams.
“It was a extremely robust match and I actually respect Iga due to the streak she had on the grand slams,” Rybakina stated.
“She’s a younger participant and she or he performs rather well.
Nervous…however at all times calm
“At the moment I used to be serving rather well, simply struggling on one facet however I believe within the essential moments I performed rather well so it made a giant distinction.
“I am nervous each time I am going on the court docket, like all people. However I am calm at all times.
“It is a large win and I am simply glad to get to a different spherical.”
Rybakina, who gained 80 % of her first-serve factors, will face both No.7 seed Coco Gauff or No.17 seed Jelena Ostapenko in her quarter-final on Tuesday.
The 23-year-old obtained off to the right begin when she broke Swiatek’s serve within the first sport.
She teed up three set factors and coolly dispatched an ace to say the opening set.
Swiatek fought again instantly within the second set, breaking Rybakina to race out to a 3-Zero lead.
However Rybakina would not go away and was in a position to get the set again on serve.
She earned three break factors at 4-Four and transformed the third, earlier than coolly serving out the match.
It’s the third time Swiatek, final yr’s semi-finalist, has departed Melbourne Park within the fourth spherical.
-AAP
