Rybakina Crushes Swiatek’s Career Grand Slam Dreams

In a significant upset, Elena Rybakina eliminated Iga Swiatek in the Australian Open quarterfinals, crushing her dreams of a career Grand Slam. Swiatek, the fifth seed, struggled throughout the match, failing to capitalise on her opportunities.

Match Statistics

The match saw Swiatek recording only 55 percent of first serves, significantly lower than Rybakina’s performance. Swiatek also managed to hit 10 winners, compared to Rybakina’s impressive 26. Furthermore, Swiatek could only convert one out of her four break point chances, while Rybakina converted 47 percent of her return points.

Swiatek’s Reflection

After the match, Swiatek acknowledged her difficulties with serving. She noted, “My serve wasn’t the best, so it was hard to keep the score even in the second set.” She highlighted the challenge of playing on fast courts, stating, “It’s never been so flawless for me playing on these courts.” Despite the setback, she remained positive, saying, “I’ll try next time, anyway.”

Comparing Tournament Runs

Swiatek reflected on her Australian Open experiences, especially contrasting her 2026 campaign with her run to the semifinals in 2025, where she once held a match point against eventual champion Madison Keys. She felt that her performance last year was superior, noting, “I felt like I was playing a bit better.” She acknowledged that playing in a Grand Slam tournament is always challenging, stating, “Winning and playing [in] a Slam is tough.”

Coaching Changes and Future Focus

The Polish player also mentioned adjustments made with her coach, Wim Fissette. “We changed some stuff that was, for me, a bit of a ‘Eureka’ moment,” she remarked. Having won her first Wimbledon title just months later, Swiatek expressed the necessity of continued improvement. “This year, we didn’t manage to completely close the stuff that we wanted to change in the pre-season,” she explained. “That’s why maybe I felt like I played a tiny bit worse.”

Conclusion

Elena Rybakina’s victory over Iga Swiatek in the Australian Open marks a decisive moment in the tournament. As Swiatek evaluates her performance and prepares for further challenges ahead, fans remain eager to see how both players evolve in the coming competitions.