Semi-finalist last year, the Polish was beaten by the Kazakhe Elena Rybakina in two sleeves, and less than an hour and a half of match.
MO12345lemonde with AFP
IGA SwiTek will not win the first Australian open in 2023. The 21 -year -old Polish, world number one, was eliminated on Sunday January 22 in Melbourne, from the round of 16 of the first tournament of the Grand Chelem of the season, by the Kazakhe Elena Rybakina (25 e )
Regularly taken in speed by his opponent, Iga Swiatek, winner of the US Open in September 2022 after having won two Roland-Garros, lost in two dry rounds (4-6, 4-6) and in 1 h 29.
“I served very well and very well played in important moments. It is a big victory for me,” rejoiced the Kazakhe of Russian origin, born 23 years ago in Moscow. She made twenty-four winning shots (against fifteen for Swiatek) and won four break balls over the six played on her opponent’s service when the latter managed to materialize only two of her four break balls.
A table that emerges for Caroline Garcia
Rybakina, who had never exceeded the third round in three participations hitherto of Australian Major, will face the Lettonne Jelena Ostapenko in the next round (17 e ) who triumphed the American Coco Gauff (7 e ).
The Kazakhe settled from the game to take the first swiatek service game to lead 2-0. But the Polish gave up at 2-2. Rybakina then succeeded in the decisive break to lead 4-3 and win the Channel on a white service game punctuated by an ACE.
Elena Rybakina, opposite Iga Swiatek, in Melbourne, January 22, 2023. Anthony Wallace/AFP
Swiatek, semi-finalist last year in Melbourne, seemed to take over in the second set by standing out 3-0. But she lost her put into play twice and allowed Rybakina to serve for the match at 5-4. The great Kazakhe (1.83 m) seized its luck and chained an Ace, the sixth of the game, and a winning forehand to complete the meeting.
After the elimination of the Tunisian Ons Jabeur (2 e ) from the second round, the premature release of the number 1 seed is a new surprise in Melbourne. This somewhat frees Caroline Garcia’s painting. Seed number 4 of the tournament, the Frenchwoman would have found Iga Swiatek on her way in the semi-finals. But before you think so far, it is still necessary to pass the course of eighths against another Polish, Magda Linette.
