Ostapenko dumps defending champion Swiatek out of US Open

AFP

Defending champion and world primary Iga Swiatek exited the US Open within the fourth spherical on Sunday after she unravelled 3-6 6-3 6-1 towards Latvia’s Jelena Ostapenko at Arthur Ashe Stadium.

The Polish three-times Grand Slam winner had not dropped a set earlier than Sunday’s match however was unable to carry off the assured twentieth seed’s cost.

Ostapenko fired off a crisp forehand winner to interrupt her opponent’s serve on match level, pumping her fist as she prolonged her profession head-to-head document towards Swiatek to 4-0.

The 2017 Roland Garros champion subsequent faces American sixth seed Coco Gauff, who beat wildcard Caroline Wozniacki in three units earlier within the day.

“I always expect a tough battle against Iga,” Ostapenko mentioned. “I knew I had to play my game. I have to be aggressive because that’s what she doesn’t really like and I was just fighting until the very last point.”

Swiatek received off on the fallacious foot, serving to Ostapenko to a break within the first sport with a double fault and a pair of forehand errors.

She broke again instantly, although, and transformed on one other break-point probability with a wonderful forehand winner within the sixth sport earlier than taking the primary set.

But issues started to disintegrate for Swiatek within the second set.

She despatched a forehand out at hand Ostapenko a break within the second sport and was unable to transform a break level within the ninth sport earlier than Ostapenko tied the match at 1-1.

Swiatek appeared demoralised within the third set whereas Ostapenko upped her stage additional, taking full management to cruise by the primary 5 video games and including solely two extra unforced errors to her depend en path to sealing victory.

She faces a tricky problem towards an in-form Gauff, whom she beat within the fourth spherical of the Australian Open earlier this 12 months.

“She’s a great young player, I played against her this year in Australia. It was a tough match,” mentioned Ostapenko.

“Of course, it’s going to be another tough match. I don’t expect any easy matches here at the Grand Slams. So I’m ready for another battle.”