Big disappointment for the world number 1.
Iga Swiatek was eliminated in the round of 16 of the Australian Open by Kazakh Elena Rybakina (25th) 6-4, 6-4 in 1:29, Sunday January 22 in Melbourne.
The Polish, semi-finalist last year, was overtaken by the Wimbledon champion.
"I served very well and played very well in the important moments. It's a great victory for me", rejoiced the Kazakh of Russian origin, born 23 years ago in Moscow.
She managed 24 winners (against 15 for Swiatek) and won four break points out of the six played on her opponent's service when the latter only managed to make two of her four break points.
Decisive break
Rybakina, who had never passed the third round in three participations so far in the Australian Major, will face in the next round the American Coco Gauff (7th) or the Latvian Jelena Ostapenko (17th).
She settled in early in the match by taking Swiatek's first service game to lead 2-0.
But the Polish recovered at 2-2.
The Kazakh then managed the decisive break to lead 4-3 and win the set on a white service game punctuated by an ace.
The Pole seemed to regain the upper hand in the second set by breaking away 3-0.
But she lost her face-off twice and allowed Rybakina to serve for the match at 5-4.
The tall Kazakh (1.83m) seized her chance and chained an ace, the sixth of the game, and a winning forehand to end the game.
With AFP
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