Six-time major champion Iga Swiatek experienced a roller-coaster match before securing her spot in the Australian Open last 16 on Saturday.
The Polish second seed, aiming for her first Melbourne title, had a shaky performance before ultimately defeating 31st-seeded Russian Anna Kalinskaya 6-1, 1-6, 6-1.
Swiatek will face qualifier Maddison Inglis next after Naomi Osaka withdrew from her third-round match against the Australian due to injury. The former world number one Swiatek was unaware of Osaka’s withdrawal at the end of her match.
“I don’t know what my reaction should be,” she said when informed by the on-court interviewer. “But I hope Naomi is well and it’s exciting to be in the fourth round again.”
Swiatek has won four French Opens, the US
Open, and Wimbledon, but a title at Melbourne Park has remained elusive. Last year, she reached the semifinals but was defeated by eventual winner Madison Keys.
Swiatek started strong, breaking Kalinskaya for an immediate 2-0 lead at Margaret Court Arena, where the roof was closed due to the hot weather.
It was 3-0 in 10 minutes as the 24-year-old seemed poised for a quick victory. The Pole wrapped up the first set in 24 minutes, after which Kalinskaya required a medical timeout and received treatment for her lower back.
Next, Swiatek struggled and lost the second set 6-1, also needing medical attention. The deciding set saw another shift, with Swiatek smiling broadly at the end as she triumphed in the unpredictable match.
“I didn’t feel I was playing worse in the second set; she just played better,” Swiatek said. “I just kept going because the momentum can change.”
Swiatek arrived in Melbourne following two singles defeats at the United Cup and was pushed hard by Chinese qualifier Yuan Yue in the first round.
She was more impressive in the second round, easily defeating Marie Bouzkova of the Czech Republic, losing just five games.
