Świątek Stages Dramatic Comeback to Defeat Russian Opponent in Tennis Match

Iga Świątek has successfully advanced to the third round of the Australian Open 2026. In her second-round match, she defeated Czech player Marie Bouzkova with a score of 6-2, 6-3. Her next challenge will be against Russian opponent Anna Kalinska, who overcame Austrian Julia Grabher 6-3, 6-3.

Świątek vs. Kalinska: A Competitive History

This match marks the third meeting between Świątek and Kalinska, where Świątek leads their head-to-head record 2-1. Their previous encounter occurred in the third round of the 2025 US Open, where Świątek triumphed in a tense match with a score of 7-6(2), 6-4. Despite a challenging matchup, Świątek is determined for success.

Dramatic Comeback in the US Open

During the US Open showdown, Świątek faced a substantial hurdle. After an impressive start, she fell behind 1-5 in the first set. Errors began to plague her game, while Kalinska played aggressively, taking control of the match.

• Kalinska led at 5-1.
• Świątek managed to recover, winning six out of seven games.
• She saved four set points before forcing a tiebreak.

In a crucial shift, Kalinska’s performance dipped, resulting in double faults that allowed Świątek to reclaim momentum. The first set concluded dramatically in a tiebreak, which Świątek won 7-6(2) after 69 minutes of play.

Second Round Match Insights

The second set began with a back-and-forth battle. Although Świątek initially broke Kalinska’s serve, both players struggled with consistency. The match was characterized by numerous equal scores, including 2-2, 3-3, and 4-4.

• Świątek accelerated towards the end, breaking Kalinska again.
• She converted her first match point successfully.

After nearly two hours of intense competition, Świątek clinched the match. Kalinska’s emotional exit reflected the weight of her earlier missed opportunities.

Looking Ahead to Melbourne

The upcoming encounter between Świątek and Kalinska promises to be a significant challenge. Kalinska has not performed at her peak in recent tournaments, yet she remains capable of powerful play.

With their history in mind, the match on Saturday, set for 9:00 AM Polish time, might test Świątek’s resolve more than her previous matches at the Australian Open. Fans can catch coverage on Sport.pl, Eurosporcie, and the Max platform.