World number one Iga Swiatek was eliminated on Sunday in Melbourne in the round of 16 of the Australian Open against Kazakh Elena Rybakina (25th) 6: 4, 6: 4 in 1:29.
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The Pole, semi-finalist last year, was overtaken by the Wimbledon winner.
“I served very well and played very well in the important moments. That’s a great win for me,” said the Kazakh of Russian descent, who was born in Moscow 23 years ago.
She managed 24 winners (vs. 15 for Swiatek) and grabbed four break points from the six played on her opponent’s serve when the latter only managed two of her four break points.
Rybakina, who has never made it through the third round in three Australian majors so far, will meet American Coco Gauff (7th) or Latvian Jelena Ostapenko (17th) in the next round.
She came into the game early by giving Swiatek’s first service game a 2-0 lead. But the Pole recovered 2-2. The Kazakh then managed the crucial break to lead 4-3 and win the set in a white hold game that was broken by an ace.
In the second set, the Pole seemed to regain the upper hand with a 3-0 breakout. But she lost her faceoff twice, allowing Rybakina to serve for the match at 5-4. The tall Kazakh (1.83 m) took her chance and chained an ace, the sixth of the game, and a winning forehand to end the game.