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Swiatek Battles Past Kalinskaya in Melbourne Thriller to Reach Last 16

Iga Swiatek secured a roller-coaster 6-1, 1-6, 6-1 victory over Anna Kalinskaya to reach the Australian Open fourth round. After a dominant first set, Swiatek lost her way in the second, surrendering her serve three times. She took a medical timeout before the decider and returned to win five consecutive games, ultimately closing out the match. The World No. 2 advances to face qualifier Maddison Inglis as she continues her quest for a first Australian Open title and a career Grand Slam.

Key Points: Iga Swiatek Reaches Australian Open Fourth Round After Three-Set Win

  • Swiatek wins in three sets
  • Kalinskaya takes dominant second set
  • Pole rebounds with strong decider
  • Swiatek pursues career Grand Slam
2 min read

Aus Open: Swiatek brushes past Kalinskaya to reach round of 16

World No. 2 Iga Swiatek overcomes a stern challenge from Anna Kalinskaya, winning 6-1, 1-6, 6-1 to advance to the Australian Open fourth round.

"Swiatek reasserted control, winning six straight games with blistering serves and relentless pressure to seal the match. - Match Report"

Melbourne, Jan 24

Russian Anna Kalinskaya challenged World No. 2 Iga Swiatek significantly before the latter secured a 6-1, 1-6, 6-1 victory at the Margaret Court Arena on Saturday, moving into the fourth round of the Australian Open.

Swiatek rebounded strongly from her uncertain second set to secure the victory in 1 hour and 44 minutes, maintaining her momentum in pursuit of a career Grand Slam.

The second-seeded Pole was in ⁠her ruthless form, quickly building a 5-1 ‌lead with a double break and winning the ​opening set in just 24 minutes to dominate an off-colour Kalinskaya, who received treatment for her lower back during the break.

However, a role reversal in the second set saw six-time Grand Slam champion Swiatek give up her serve three times, as Kalinskaya took control and exploited several errors from the Pole.

Swiatek took a medical timeout between the second and third sets before returning with a vengeance, winning five straight games to stamp out Kalinskaya's resistance.

To her credit, the 31st seed held serve and made Swiatek defend three break points, but it was too little, too late as the Pole held serve for the win.

Swiatek, a six-time Grand Slam champion, is striving to achieve a career Slam by winning the Australian Open. The two-time semi-finalist has a 25-7 record at the happy slam, and this is the sixth time she's reached at least the fourth round at the Australian Grand Slam. Overall, in Grand Slam tournaments, the Pole's win-loss record is now 107-21.

The Polish star dominated the opening set with a flawless service game, but Kalinskaya responded with an emphatic 6-1 second set of her own, serving confidently and dictating with aggressive forehands. In the decider, Swiatek reasserted control, winning six straight games with blistering serves and relentless pressure to seal the match. Despite Kalinskaya's resistance and saved match points, the No. 2's firepower and composure proved decisive.

She will next compete against Maddison Inglis, the final home favourite and remaining qualifier. Inglis, ranked World No. 168 and having saved two match points in her first qualifying match against Leyre Romero Gormaz, moved forward after Naomi Osaka withdrew due to a left abdominal injury.

- IANS

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Reader Comments

R
Rohit P
Kalinskaya put up a great fight, especially in that second set. It's a shame her back was troubling her. Injuries are the worst part of sports. Respect to both players for a tough battle.
A
Aman W
Swiatek is a machine! Her record of 107-21 in Grand Slams is just insane. She's so young and already chasing a career Slam. The future of women's tennis is in good hands.
S
Sarah B
While Swiatek won, the inconsistency between sets is a bit worrying if she wants to win the title. The top players won't let her off the hook if she has a dip like that second set. She needs to be more steady.
K
Kavya N
Woke up early to watch this match, totally worth it! The momentum shifts were crazy. That medical timeout really worked for Iga. On to the next round! #AusOpen
M
Michael C
Interesting to see Inglis is next. A qualifier and the last Aussie hope. Should be a straightforward win for Swiatek on paper, but you never know with the crowd behind the local player. Could be fun.

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