Iga Swiatek will not win the Australian Open this year. The Polish top favorite and number one in the world lost on Saturday in the third round against the 19-year-old Czech Linda Noskova (WTA-50) in three sets: 3-6, 6-3 and 6-4.
With Elina Rybakina, Jessica Pegula, Ons Jabeur, Marketa Vondrousova and Maria Sakkari, half of the top ten of the world rankings had fallen early in Australia. On Saturday, Iga Swiatek’s name was also added to that list.
The world number one faced the Czech Linda Noskova in the third round. As number 50 in the world, the 19-year-old seemed like a bite-sized piece for Swiatek on paper, but that turned out differently.
The Polish woman won the first set 6-3, but then Noskova hit back with the same numbers. In a fiercely fought third set, both players kept each other in balance until 3-3, but then Noskova was able to conquer another break. She didn’t give it up again: 6-4.
The first Grand Slam tournament of the year also ends early for favorite Swiatek. Aryna Sabalenka (WTA-2) and Coco Gauff (WTA-4) are the two highest ranked players remaining among women.
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