MELBOURNA: World number one Iga Swiatek said she had failed to play her “natural” game after her 18-match winning run came to a shuddering halt at the Australian Open on Saturday.
The Polish top seed was beaten 3-6, 6-3, 6-4 in the third round by unseeded Czech teen Linda Noskova — ending her hopes of a first title in Melbourne.
Just three of the top 10 women’s seeds remain in the draw in Melbourne at the end of the first week.
Swiatek started the tournament with a straight-sets win against former champion Sofia Kenin before staging a fine comeback to defeat 2022 runner-up Danielle Collins.
But she came unstuck against 50th-ranked Noskova despite winning the first set under the lights on Rod Laver Arena.
A crestfallen Swiatek said she felt the match was under control until she was broken in the second set.
“I was rushing it,” she said. “I just wasn’t playing kind of with my intuition and naturally.
“For sure I was more stressed than in other tournaments, especially the first two rounds,” she added.
“But I think some things just didn’t work as they did before, even though I was working the same way. I feel like I did really everything I could in pre-season to improve some stuff that I wanted to.
“Then I came here and I wasn’t playing kind of natural anymore. I don’t know, like my split step was too late sometimes, reaction a little bit slower, some other things.”
Noskova will face Ukrainian 19th seed Elina Svitolina in the last 16 on Monday.
“It was an unbelievable match for me,” said the 19-year-old. “Playing on such a court for the first time, playing with Iga for a second time, I really wanted to win this, so I’m just glad that I did it.
“I know that I have improved a lot in the last year-and-a-half, year. I mean, I just believed my game tonight.
“I just really wanted this win because I didn’t really come to that court with the thought of, like, I have nothing to lose.”
Swiatek, 22, broke in the sixth game and went on to take the first set in 43 minutes.
Both women faced pressure on their serves in a tight second set and fended off break points until the eighth game, when Noskova broke to love to lead 5-3 before serving out.
Swiatek cracked in the third game of the decider, putting herself in deep trouble, but she hit back immediately after speaking with her coaching team on court.
But she came under pressure on her serve again, saving another break point to edge ahead 3-2.
That proved a temporary stay of execution as she netted with a forehand in the seventh game to give Noskova another break for a 4-3 lead and she held serve for 5-3.
Swiatek held her own serve and then won the first two points as Noskova served for the match. But the Czech player kept her head, firing an ace to set up match point and sealing the deal.
Stressed Swiatek laments shock early exit from Australian Open
https://arab.news/peane
Stressed Swiatek laments shock early exit from Australian Open
- The Polish top seed was beaten 3-6, 6-3, 6-4 in the third round by unseeded Czech teen Linda Noskova
- A crestfallen Swiatek said she felt the match was under control until she was broken in the second set
Sara Bejlek celebrates career-first WTA Tour win at Mubadala Abu Dhabi Open
- 20-year-old qualifier beats Ekaterina Alexandrova 7-6, 6-1 in the final
- Alexandrova and Maya Joint sealed the women’s doubles title
ABU DHABI: The final day of the Mubadala Abu Dhabi Open was a memorable one for 20-year-old Sara Bejlek as she captured her maiden WTA Tour title in only her second appearance at this level.
Ekaterina Alexandrova and Maya Joint claimed the doubles crown, while Yui Kamiji won the inaugural Wheelchair Tennis Invitational presented by the WTA Foundation.
Bejlek, competing in her tournament debut as a qualifier, defied the odds by defeating pre-match favorite Alexandrova, who was chasing an Abu Dhabi double having reached both the singles and doubles finals. With her 7-6, 6-1 victory, Bejlek became the first Czech player to win the Mubadala Abu Dhabi Open title.
Bejlek said after the win: “I’m getting back into shape, and it feels incredible. Now I know I can compete with anyone and not be scared of anybody. My team believed in me even before I stepped back on court, and now I truly believe it too.
“I’ve learned that as long as the match isn’t finished, I always have a chance. I’m really happy with how my team is working with me, and today Abu Dhabi has become my favorite tournament.”
In the doubles, Alexandrova responded strongly after her singles final defeat to claim the title alongside Australian Joint. The pair secured a 6-3, 6-7, 10-8 victory over Tereza Mihalikova and Olivia Nicholls in a fiercely contested but rain-delayed match.
Earlier in the day, World No.1 Kamiji made history when she won the inaugural wheelchair event 6-3, 6-2. The final against 20 grand slam title winner Jiske Griffioen on the ADCB Court 1 attracted huge crowds as both players displayed their skills for the first time in Abu Dhabi.
Kamiji said after the win: “I’m really happy to get the opportunity to play here; it’s such a great tournament and the courts are fantastic as well. My goal for the season is to win the title I haven’t been able to get yet, which is the Wimbledon singles.”
In the Road to Mubadala Abu Dhabi Open, there was some outstanding finals between the most talented youngsters in the country. In the Under-12 category, Uchechukwu (Megan) Uzokwe and Yezid Baccouche were crowned champions. Isabelle James secured her third consecutive Road to MADO title, while Marwan Safi claimed the Under-14 boys’ crown. In the Under-16 category, Saida Ismail eared the girls’ title and Timur Gordeev lifted his third consecutive trophy in the competition.
Monica Puig, Olympic gold medalist in tennis and tournament presenter, said: “The Mubadala Abu Dhabi Open is the first of three tournaments in the Middle East, and is a special event to be part of. The fans have made it an incredible week, and they always turn out for this tournament, so that is really great to see.
“Sara (Bejlek’s) performance was impressive for a 20-year-old because I never saw her at any point look nervous on the court. She just stuck to her guns and did what she needed to do, and I’m really excited to keep an eye on her.”
Nigel Gupta, tournament director for the event, said: “The Mubadala Abu Dhabi Open has once again proven to be a fantastic tournament, with sell-out crowds creating an incredible atmosphere and fans were treated to world-class tennis throughout the week. Seeing Bejlek win her first WTA Tour title was truly unbelievable and a joy for everyone watching.
“It was also incredibly exciting to showcase wheelchair tennis at this event for the first time — the level, skill and competitiveness on display was outstanding. We’re already looking ahead to how we can continue building this tournament and ensuring it continues to be an event that everyone looks forward to each year.”
