Upset at the Australian Open: World number 1 Iga Swiatek falls to Czech challenger

Lightning in the Australian night. On Saturday, the Czech Linda Noskova, 50th in the world, took out world number 1 Iga Swiatek in the 3rd round of the Australian Open (3-6, 6-3, 6-4). This is the first time in 45 years that the number 1 seed leaves the competition before the round of 16. Already seriously jostled by Danielle Collins in the previous round, the Pole takes the door for good.

Never close to his level

The world number 1 will not make Melbourne her garden this year. Already exited prematurely by Elena Rybakina last year in the round of 16, she exited even earlier this year. However, she started her match well, winning the first set thanks to a great battle to break in the middle of the set. Without being sovereign, it seemed able to counter the attacks of the Czechs.

But the battle continued into the second round, and Noskova, at 19 years old, was not impressed by the Rod Laver Arena. She was able to take advantage of the generosity of the Pole, much less precise than usual in her offensives, to return to a round everywhere by scraping her opponent’s throw at the appropriate moment, while she was leading 4-3 .

Increasingly tense by the stakes as the outcome got closer, the two players delivered a tense third round, of which the Czech definitely took control by breaking her opponent at 3 games all. All he had to do was rely on his serve to close out the two games he had left to win. Noskova signs a huge surprise, she who had never gone beyond the 2nd round in a Grand Slam until now. And now, the Women’s Australian Open appears even more indecisive.

2024-01-20 11:06:00
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