The
defending champion, Iga Swiatek, fell to Jelena Ostapenko in her title defense by
3-6, 6-3, 6-1 and will lose the world No. 1 ranking to Aryna Sabalenka.
Ostapenko
had a 3-0 head-to-head advantage over Swiatek, although all these encounters
occurred before Swiatek reached the world No. 1 ranking. Swiatek came into the
tournament with confidence after dominant victories over Rebecca Peterson (6-0,
6-1), Daria Gavrilova (6-3, 6-4), and Kaja Juvan (6-0, 6-1).
World No.
21 Ostapenko reached the fourth round of the US Open for the first time in her
career and did so while meeting expectations with earlier round victories over
Jasmine Paolini, Elina Avanesian, and Bernarda Pera, all in three sets.
The first
set started with the world No. 1 losing her serve immediately but managing to
break back in the next game to level the match. With the score at 3-2 in her
favor, she secured another break and maintained the lead on her serve to take
the set 6-3.
The Latvian
player played aggressively, attacking both the first and second serves,
attempting winners, and managing to hit 12 of them. However, she also made 9
unforced errors, which cost her dearly in crucial moments. Swiatek, on the
other hand, capitalized on her opponent's second serves, winning 78% of those
points.
In the
second set, Ostapenko continued with her strategy and was the first to break to
lead 3-0. Solid defense from Swiatek and two double faults from Ostapenko
gifted a break to the 4-time Grand Slam champion, attempting to level the
match.
Nevertheless,
Ostapenko reclaimed the break in the following game and eventually secured the
set 6-3 with her service.
The third set turned into a nightmare for the Polish player, who struggled to counter
Ostapenko's aggressive shots. The Latvian player was precise in hitting deep
shots and forcing errors from Swiatek, resulting in her winning three
consecutive breaks.
Swiatek
struggled with her service, only winning 30% of her points with the first serve
and 29% with the second. Ostapenko comfortably claimed the set 6-1.
Swiatek's
defeat means she will lose the world No. 1 ranking after holding it for 74
consecutive weeks, with Aryna Sabalenka taking over. This loss also ends her
streak of 10 consecutive wins at Flushing Meadows.
Moreover, this is Swiateks first loss of a match in a WTA 2023 event after winning the first set. The score after this dramatic match is now 50 wins in favour of the the Polish athlete and.. 1 loss! Unfortunately for Swiatek, it had to happen in this US Open grand slam against a player she has never won against (4 losses). Jelena Ostapenko truely is her Nemesis..
Cristhián AvilaTennis Journalist
Cristhián Ávila is a tennis journalist based in Santiago, Chile, and has been part of the TennisUpToDate team since early 2023. He covers the ATP and WTA Tours as well as all four Grand Slams, producing breaking news, match reports, analysis, and regular liveblogs from major tournaments.
His reporting combines statistical analysis with clear explanation, helping readers understand tactical developments, player form, and broader storylines across the tour. Working fluently in both Spanish and English, Cristhián collaborates with an international editorial team and contributes to comprehensive global coverage. As part of his work, he has conducted interviews and media interactions with leading figures in the sport, including Caroline Wozniacki and John McEnroe.
In his journalism, Cristhián places strong emphasis on careful sourcing, editorial accuracy, and updating articles promptly when new, verified information becomes available. His coverage is grounded in research, context, and direct engagement with professional tennis.
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