Swiatek Advances to Australian Open Last 16 After Intense Battle
In an intense battle, Iga Swiatek advanced to the Australian Open last 16 on January 24, 2026. The Polish second seed faced off against 31st seed Anna Kalinskaya, winning the match 6-1, 1-6, 6-1 at Margaret Court Arena.
Match Overview
Swiatek began the match strong, quickly breaking Kalinskaya to take a 2-0 lead. In just ten minutes, she had extended her lead to 3-0, showcasing her dominance early on. The first set concluded in a mere 24 minutes.
Medical Timeouts
Following the first set, Kalinskaya required a medical timeout due to discomfort in her lower back. After treatment, the match took a turn as Swiatek unexpectedly lost the second set by the same 6-1 score.
Final Set and Aftermath
The deciding set saw a shift in momentum, with Swiatek regaining her composure. She finished the match with a smile, demonstrating her relief and determination.
After the match, Swiatek expressed uncertainty about her reaction to Naomi Osaka’s withdrawal from the tournament, which had occurred during her match. Swiatek remarked, “I don’t know what my reaction should be… But I hope Naomi is well, and it’s exciting to be in the fourth round again.”
Next Opponent
Swiatek will face qualifier Maddison Inglis in the next round. This match comes after Osaka withdrew due to injury.
Previous Performance
This season marked a significant moment for Swiatek, who has previously secured four French Open titles, a US Open title, and won Wimbledon. However, the Australian Open title remains elusive for the talented player. Last year, she reached the semifinals but ultimately lost to Madison Keys, the eventual champion.
Swiatek’s journey to the third round of the tournament had its challenges, including two singles defeats at the United Cup. She initially faced a tough challenge against Chinese qualifier Yuan Yue in the first round but performed impressively against Marie Bouzkova in the second round, only losing five games.
As Swiatek aims for her first Melbourne title, fans are eager to see how far she can go in this year’s tournament.
