Ostapenko precursed Swiatek World No.1 reign and ended it in superb stat after US Open win

The dominant run of Iga Swiatek as World No.1 came to an end last night, as the Polish star fell to Jelena Ostapenko in their round of 16 US Open clash.

Swiatek had been atop the WTA rankings for 75 weeks, as she succeeded Australian Ashleigh Barty, who retired from the sport in 2022. However, her loss to Ostapenko at Flushing Meadows will see the 22-year old drop to World No.2 at the conclusion of the US Open, with Aryna Sabalenka occupying the new top position.

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Ostapenko comes full circle in Swiatek's World No.1 story

Prior to achieving the top-ranked position, Swiatek's last loss came at the hands of Ostapenko. The Latvian defeated Swiatek in three sets at the 2022 Dubai Championships, coincidentally also in the fourth round. The Polish star would subsequently become World No.1 and hold onto the position for over a year.

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However, with Sabalenka hot on her tails, anything short of a title run would see Swiatek lose her top-ranked position. Ostapenko once again proved to be the Polish star's kryptonite, defeating her in a three-set thriller in the fourth round of the 2023 US Open, ensuring Sabalenka would become the new World No.1.

Swiatek is now 0-4 in career meetings against the 2017 French Open champion, with Ostapenko becoming the last person to defeat the Polish star before she became No.1 and also the last person to beat her before she lost the World No.1 ranking.