The ‘number one’ fell to Ribakyna (6-4, 6-4) and was very autocratic: “I have taken a step back in the way I approach these tournaments.”
Every Swiateknumber one in the world, was eliminated in the round of 16 of the Australian Open against Elena Rybakina, last Wimbledon winner, in 89 minutes (6-4, 6-4). The direct and aggressive tennis of the Kazakh turned out to be unapproachable for the great dominator of the circuit in 2022, when she won Roland Garros and the US Open.
“I felt the pressure and instead of wanting to win, I felt that I didn’t want to lose,” said the Pole in the Rod Laver Arena press room, after describing the last two weeks as “very difficult.” Swiatek’s Frankly Autocratic “I’ve taken a step back in the way she approached these tournaments.” Despite losing 540 points, her leadership in the WTA ranking is not in danger, since she has almost a 5,000 advantage over Our Jabeureliminated in the second round against Marketa Vondrousova (6-1, 5-7, 6-1).
Rybakina, who suffered last autumn to continue her great success at the Old England Tennis Club, came to knock down Danielle Collins and this triumph against the great candidate for the title places him among the list of candidates in Melbourne.
Extrao ‘warning’
Rybakina’s 24 game-winners, including six aces, ended up cornering Swiatek, who already suffered a strange setback before the start of the match, receiving a warning For time. In the first game he lost his serve after having a 40-0 lead and missed two breaking balls in the subsequent rest.
The Pole managed to put it back to 2-2, but gave up a new break to Rybakina, who ended up closing the set with a ace. The Russian-born Kazakh was unfazed when Swiatek broke her serve and led 3-0 in the second set. Unleashing her powerful forehand and taking advantage of unnecessary errors from her opponent, she tied the set at 3-3.
Lethal at crucial points
More aggressive than Swiatek, Rybakina was especially deadly at crucial points, going 100% on her first three breakouts. It wasn’t until the ninth game of the second set that Swiatek managed to save two break points, but on the third opportunity he conceded a decisive break for his opponent, sending an easy forehand ball into the net.
“It was a very tough match, I really respect Iga”, summed up the winner. But “in the end, in the important moments I have played very well and that has made the difference,” she added, already looking to her round of 16 duel, where she will face Jelena Ostapenko. The winner of Roland Garros in 2017 super a Coco Gauff (7-5, 6-3) after 94 minutes of play.
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