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The conditions were not the best after the first two rounds, but Iga Swiatek's tennis performance in Melbourne was inconsistent and unconvincing.
Despite herself, the Pole marked a negative record that had stood for 45 years at the Australian Open. Swiatek, who was eliminated by 19-year-old Linda Noskova in the 3rd round of the Melbourne Major, was the first WTA No.1 to be defeated so prematurely at the Australian Open since 1979.
Not only that! This is also the first time since the tournament became a 128-player draw in 1988 that the top seed did not make it to the 4th round. Noskova also ended Swiatek's 18-match winning streak starting at WTA Beijing 2023.
Is this true??? That’s kinda crazy if it is pic.twitter.com/6QU59zIjJb
— Naomi Stephens (@sloaneosaka) January 20, 2024
Iga Swiatek analyzed her defeat, at the press conference
"I don't have many thoughts about the match right now. I'll watch it and analyze the things I did wrong. I felt like I had everything under control before she broke my serve in the second set. I had a couple of chances and I didn't take advantage of them, which is a shame. I would have liked to do more, but I played hastily and without naturalness. I guess I'll have to work on some things to feel more comfortable here, next year.
Physically and mentally I was fine. It was difficult to read her service, it reflects the style of Aryna Sabalenka and Elena Rybakina. In this tournament I didn't respond as usual. I did everything I could to make it all work, but technically it didn't work. But I did what you could and I have no regrets. I definitely would have liked to play this one better though," explained Swiatek at the press conference, downplaying the effects of the defeat.
"Last year I had doubts about the whole season after the defeat in Australia; now it's different. I will have many opportunities to show my game during this season. I didn't expect much and just tried to do my job as best I could. I just feel the need to analyze and see what I did wrong.
Last year I went back to work and focused on the next tournaments, and that's what I'll do now too. I was definitely more tense than in other tournaments, especially in the first two rounds. But I think some things just didn't work," she told.