Iga Świątek loses to Jelena Ostapenko at US Open, ending her title defence and dropping her world primary rating

Iga Świątek’s US Open title defence has ended with a 3-6, 6-3, 6-1 loss to Jelena Ostapenko within the fourth spherical.

The loss on Sunday evening additionally means Świątek’s keep at primary within the WTA rankings will finish subsequent week, when present quantity two Aryna Sabalenka will rise to the highest spot for the primary time.

Świątek’s photographs have been off-target in Arthur Ashe Stadium and she or he had a troublesome time dealing with the exhausting hitting from the Twentieth-seeded Ostapenko, who gained the 2017 French Open.

“I knew I’ve to play my sport,” Ostapenko mentioned after accumulating 31 winners to 18 for Świątek. “I knew I’ve to be aggressive, as a result of that is what she would not actually like.”

This was not essentially an enormous shock, primarily based on their earlier match-ups: Ostapenko has now improved to 4-0 in opposition to Świątek over their careers. No different participant owns 4 victories in opposition to the girl who has led the WTA rankings since April 2022.

“I used to be simply considering that I’ve to play till the final level, till we shake fingers,” Ostapenko mentioned. “I did not actually give her many probabilities.”

After getting off to a terrific begin to the second set, which she led 4-1, Ostapenko wavered for a bit. That allowed Świątek to get a break again and pull inside 4-3.

However that was solely a blip.

With Świątek having hassle serving — maybe owing to all the squeaking Ostapenko’s sneakers did as she moved round in the course of the ball toss whereas ready to return — the competition rapidly tilted in a single course. Ostapenko reeled off seven consecutive video games to go up 5-0 within the third set.

Ostapenko broke one final time to finish it, which means she gained seven of Świątek’s 13 service video games within the match.

Ostapenko’s first quarterfinal at Flushing Meadows will come in opposition to Coco Gauff, the 19-year-old American who eradicated Caroline Wozniacki 6-3, 3-6, 6-1 earlier on Sunday.

Ostapenko and Gauff have break up two earlier conferences. The latest got here within the fourth spherical of the Australian Open in January, and Ostapenko gained that one.

“She’s a terrific younger participant,” Ostapenko mentioned about Gauff.

“After all it may be one other powerful match. I do not anticipate any straightforward matches at a grand slam.”

AAP

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