Swiatek’s streak is over! Cornet stuns the world No 1 at Wimbledon
Alize Cornet won against Iga Swiatek 6-4, 6-2 on Saturday evening, snapping the 37-match winning streak of the world No 1.
The 37-match winning streak of Poland’s Iga Swiatek is over. Frenchwoman Alizé Cornet moved into the last 16 of Wimbledon by winning against Pole Iga Swiatek, the top seed, 6-4, 6-2 on No.1 Court on Saturday.
Cornet, ranked No 37, has defeated a reigning No 1 for the second time at Wimbledon and for the fourth time in her career.
“I have no words right now,” Cornet said. “It reminds me of the time I beat Serena on the same court eight years ago, exactly.”
“I think this court is a lucky charm for me. But first of all, I want to say I’m a huge fan of Iga. I mean, she’s just so talented, and she’s such an amazing player and such a nice ambassador of women’s tennis. So I’m just very flattered that I beat her today.”
Swiatek’s amazing streak is over
The Pole has nothing to hang her head about. She won 37 consecutive matches and racked up six straight titles including Roland-Garros to achieve the longest win streak on the WTA Tour since 1997. In that time Swiatek has claimed the WTA’s top ranking and become the most formidable force on the tour.
The 21-year-old drops to 44-4 on the season, and has a huge gap in the rankings over he closest competitors. Wimbledon won’t change anything on that point.
Cornet – the time to beat her was now
Cornet dominated the 93-minute match from start to finish, as Swiatek really struggled to find her range. The Pole hit 21 winners against 33 unforced errors and dropped serve in five of her nine service games.
“I think that this kind of match is what I’m living for this one I’m practicing for every day,” Cornet said. “It really drives me, and I knew I could do it. Somehow I had this belief even though she had 37 – or I don’t know how many wins – in a row. I was like, ‘if there is a woman you can beat her, it’s now on grass.’
“She feels a little less comfortable than on other surfaces. I think I was just believing very hard, very focused.”
Cornet like fine French wine
Cornet was squeaky clean on her end, hitting 16 winners against 7 unforced errors. She dropped serve just twice to secure her victory.
“You know I’m like good wine, you know in France good wine always ages well, that’s what happens to me.”
“I am playing one of the best seasons of my career. I feel great on the court. I’m having so much fun and I feel good physically. I mean, nearly eight years later after my first qualification into the second week, I can see I’m still there. I’m still so motivated and I still had the fire in me.”
Wimbledon, third round matches (from the most recent to the oldest) :
- Paula Badosa vs. Petra Kvitova: saturday
- Petra Martic vs. Jessica Pegula: saturday
- Elena Rybakina (17) beat Qinwen Zheng: 7-6 (4), 7-5
- Simona Halep (16) beat Magdalena Frech: 6-4, 6-1
- Amanda Anisimova (20) beat Coco Gauff (11): 6-7 (4), 6-2, 6-1
- Harmony Tan beat Katie Boulter (WC): 6-1, 6-1
- Ajla Tomljanovic beat Barbora Krejcikova (13): 2-6, 6-4, 6-3
- Caroline Garcia beat Shuai Zhang (33): 7-6 (3), 7-6 (5)
- Marie Bouzkova beat Alison Riske (28): 6-2, 6-3
- Elise Mertens (24) beat Angelique Kerber (15): 6-4, 7-5
- Tatjana Maria beat Maria Sakkari (5): 6-3, 7-5
- Ons Jabeur (3) beat Diane Parry: 6-2, 6-3
- Heather Watson beat Kaja Juvan: 7-6 (6), 6-2
- Jule Niemeier beat Lesia Tsurenko: 6-4, 3-6, 6-3
- Jelena Ostapenko (12) beat Irina-Camelia Begu: 3-6, 6-1, 6-1