Australian Open: Iga Swiatek knocked out by excellent display from teenager Noskova

The Czech recovered to beat the world No 1 3-6, 6-3, 6-4 and reach the second week of the Australian Open for the first time in her career

20 January 2024

Iga Swiatek knocked out of 2024 Australian Open © James Gourley/Shutterstock/SIPA

Jamie Malachy

Writer

Australian Open •Third round • completed

See draw

I. SwiatekvsL. Noskova

19-year-old Linda Noskova earned the biggest win of her young career as she edged out world No 1 Iga Swiatek, beating the Pole 3-6, 6-3, 6-4 to reach the last 16 of the Australian Open on her debut main-draw appearance.

Noskova had never previously been beyond the second round of a Grand Slam prior to this week, and twelve months ago she fell in the first round of qualifying at the year’s opening major. One year on, she has reached the second week of the Australian Open, knocking out the top seed with a brilliant display over the final two sets of the match.

All looked to be on track for Swiatek after the first set, for which a sole break was all that was required to move her 1-0 up. Her serve was operating well and Noskova, for all the clear talent on display, had few answers to such a solid showing coming from the other side of the net.

match turns on twelve-point blitz from noskova in second set

The entire match turned in dizzyingly quick fashion in the seventh game of the second set.

From break point down at 3-3, Noskova won eleven of the next twelve points to hold serve, break the world No 1 and then serve out the set as she sprinted to the finish line in that middle stanza from completely out of the blue.

Noskova, ranked 50th in the world currently, then moved a break up early in the decider before Swiatek hit back in typical fashion.

The Czech player could have easily crumbled, but she stayed resolute and broke again in the seventh game before calmly holding serve until the finish line to close biggest win of her career.

“I’m speechless,” Noskova said after clinching a monumental win.

“Obviously I knew it was going to be an amazing match with the world No 1 but I didn’t really think it would end up like this. I’m just really glad to get through this round.

“I was a little shaky [when serving out the match].

“Obviously I didn’t hit two first serves which was not the best start but then I pulled out an ace which it’s easier like that but it’s tough sometimes to bring it in such a moment.”

In a tournament that has so far been defined by upsets, this is by far the most momentous. For the first time in five years, Iga Swiatek will be absent from the fourth round of the Australian Open.

For Noskova, meanwhile, a coveted place in the second week of the year’s opening slam awaits. With it, a meeting with either Elina Svitolina or Viktorija Golubic lies in store for a place in the quarter-finals.

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