Swiatek submits Kalinskaya 6-1, 1-6, 6-1 in the third round of the Aussie Open
Iga Swiatek is on a mission. of 24-year-old from Poland, ranked in the world #2is seeking her first Australian Open title, having twice (in 2022 & 2025) reached the penultimate round. Should she prevail, she would be the third youngest woman to reach the career Grand Slam.
It appeared from the start that Swiatek was going to roll over her opponent, but 27-year-old Russian and 31fara e st refused to comply. Anna Kalinskaya, still searching for her daughter WTA tournament title, currently ranked #33after reaching a career high of #11 IN 2024. That same year in WTA 1000 event in Dubai, she defeated Swiatek in straight sets, her only win in three meetings.
No player had dropped a set in two rounds in Melbourne. Swiatek won the toss and elected to serve. IN 98-Staircase weather under a closed roof, Swiatek hit two winners, including an ace out wide, and held at love as Kalinskaya served four unforced errors, including a double fault and a dropped serve.
Reuters
Swiatek opened the third game with two back-to-back winners and, despite giving away a double fault, consolidated the break for 3-0. Kalinskaya did 4/4 first serve and was lovingly held to board.
Swiatek opened the fifth with an inside-out grounder and stayed 15 ABOUT 4-1. Kalinskaya made three ground faults, faced double break points and broke serve. While Swiatek stalked the baseline with her incredible footwork, Kalinskaya appeared physically and emotionally flat.
The six-time Grand Slam champion, serving for the set, hit two winners, including her second ace, and after a return at the net, secured it in twenty-four minutes. Kalinskaya took a medical leave for her back after the set ended.
The Russian service with new cannons was lost 5/6 the first serve, including a double fault, still managed to hold 30 while Swiatek made two forehand errors, faced deuces, two break points and dropped serve.
After the physical therapy visit, Kalinskaya seemed to move better and swing more freely. She opened the third with a fantastic forehand down the line, but converted the break with two backhand errors and a strong forehand winner from Swiatek.
The second seed was unable to consolidate the break and, with three costly errors, gave it back. Kalinskaya opened the fifth with two straight faults after deep returns and faced three deuces and three break points, but held for 4-1 with her first ace and an overhand return from Swiatek.
The reigning Wimbledon champion seemed to have lost focus and confidence. She served up three consecutive unforced errors, including another double fault, and broke at love. Kalinskaya, with depth and pace, hit three colossal backhands, the last one inside-out to seal the set 6-1.
After the set, Swiatek was treated for what appeared to be a blister on her right hand. She served first in the decider and although she hit two double faults in a row, she held on 30 with three winners while Kalinskaya lost 3/6 serves first and served up two back-to-back back faults to drop serve.
Swiatek, serving new balls, opened with two back-to-back winners and held on to 30 to consolidate the break. Kalinskaya opened the third with three straight faults, faced a triple break and a fourth serve, dropped. Swiatek kept up the momentum and held onto it 5-0 with a stunning cross-back winner.
Kalinskaya, serving to stay in the match, did 5/6 first serve, including the second ace on game point. Swiatek served for the match and a coveted spot in the sixteenth round. Although she opened with a strong arm winner, she struggled to cross the finish line. She served three unforced errors, faced four deuces and three break points, but converted her second match point with a spectacular inside forehand.
She has reached the bottom four for the fourth time. It ended with 24 the winners of 29 unforced, stored errors 4/7 breakpoints during conversion 5/11. She won 66First % and 52% of 2nd serve and points hit 2 Ace of 4 double faults.
While she upped the ante when it mattered, she will need to serve better and make fewer mistakes if she hopes to advance to the quarters. Her next opponent is Australian qualifier Madison Inglis, who received a send-off from Naomi Osaka.
Inglis is currently ranked #168 but achieved a high rank in his career 112. With three qualifying matches under her belt and two impressive three-set wins over compatriot Katie Birrell (6-4 IN 3rd) and tour veteran Laura Siegemund ( 10-7 IN 3group three offender), the twenty-eight-year-old will run with an abundance of party confidence and support.
This will be their second meeting at the tournament level and the first at the Grand Slam level. Swiatek won in a row five years ago in Adelaide. Intended for an evening session, this match is a must-see match.
