Australian Open – Round of 16 | Iga Swiatek eliminated in the eighth against Elena Rybakina (6-4, 6-4)

This match against Elena Rybakina was a trap for Iga Swiatek, and it was confirmed. In this duel between the two winners of the last three Grand Slam tournaments for women (US Open and Roland-Garros for Swiatek, Wimbledon for Rybakina), the Pole never appeared on her plate. Tense, she failed to disrupt her opponent, who bravely played his luck before concluding with a shutout to eliminate the boss of the circuit (6-4, 6-4).

If the result may surprise given the dominance of Swiatek on the circuit, it is perfectly logical given what happened on the court. The Pole appeared nervous from the start of the match, even receiving a warning before the first racket kick. She was then broken from the start when she was leading 40-0. In difficulty on her serve (only 57% of points won), Swiatek never freed herself, facing an opponent who had just barely throughout the meeting.

Rybakina, new favorite?

The Kazakh’s game plan was simple, putting it into place required a lot of skill. To prevent the world No. 1 from picking up her pace, Rybakina cut the trade short at all costs. With 24 winning strokes for 25 unforced errors, she made the game, and constantly attacked Swiatek on her second balls, putting strong pressure on the Pole while protecting herself on her serve thanks to a solid first ball (6 aces, and 80 % of points earned behind his first).

But the difference was mostly visible in attitudes. Where Swiatek was all nervous, Rybakina managed to keep an impressive relaxation, and even a smile. She did not panic when the Pole came back in the first set, and broke it again at 3-3 before concluding with a shutout. She showed the same phlegm in the second set when Swiatek took off (3-0). Always as aggressive and solid on the backhand side, the Kazakh has won 5 of the last 6 games, once again ending with a shutout. A great way for her to recall her status as winner of Wimbledon, and to give herself the status of favorite. She will face Jelena Ostapenko, who fell for Coco Gauff, in the quarters.