Iga Swiatek is on a mission. The 24year-old from Poland, ranked world #2is seeking her first Australian Open title, having won twice (in 2022 & 2025) reached the penultimate lap. Should she win, she would be the third-youngest woman to achieve the Grand Slam in her career.
From the start it looked like Swiatek would overwhelm her opponent, but the 27year old Russian and 31St Seed refused to comply. Anna Kalinskaya, still looking for her girl WTA tour title, currently stands at #33with a career high of #11 in 2024. That same year at the WTA 1000 At the event in Dubai, she defeated Swiatek in straight sets, her only victory in three meetings.
Neither player had lost a set through two rounds in Melbourne. Swiatek won the toss and chose to serve. In 98Under a closed roof, Swiatek hit two winners, including an ace wide, and held on at love, while Kalinskaya made four unforced errors, including a double fault and a missed serve.
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Swiatek opened the third with two consecutive backhand winners and although she committed a double fault, she consolidated the break for 3-0. Kalinskaya made 4/4 first served and held to like to get on the plate.
Swiatek opened the fifth with an inside-out forehand winner and held on 15 for 4-1. Kalinskaya made three basic errors, was awarded a double break point and dropped serve. While Swiatek navigated the baseline with her exceptional footwork, Kalinskaya appeared physically and emotionally flat.
Serving for the set, the six-time Grand Slam champion hit two winners, including her second ace, and after a netted return secured it in twenty-four minutes. Kalinskaya took a medical timeout for her back after the set.
The Russian served with new balls missed 5/6 first serve, including a double fault, managed to retain it 30 while Swiatek made two forehand errors, faced deuce, two break points and a dump serve.
After the physio’s visit, Kalinskaya seemed to move better and swing more freely. She opened the third with a fantastic forehand down the line, but gave the break back with two backhand errors and a blistering crosscourt forehand winner from Swiatek.
The second seed could not consolidate the break and gave it back after three costly mistakes. Kalinskaya opened the fifth with two consecutive errors after deep returns, conceding three deuce and three break points but held on 4-1 with her first ace and an overcooked forehand return from Swiatek.
The reigning Wimbledon champion seemed to have lost focus and belief. She made three consecutive unforced errors, including another double fault, and was heartbroken. Kalinskaya hit three colossal forehands with depth and pace, the final inside-out sealing the set 6-1.
After the set, Swiatek was treated for what appeared to be a blister on her right hand. She served first in the decider and although she hit two consecutive double faults, she held on 30 with three winners while Kalinskaya missed 3/6 first serve and gave two consecutive backhand errors to drop the serve.
Swiatek, serving with new balls, opened with two consecutive backhand winners and held on 30 to consolidate the fracture. Kalinskaya opened the third with three straight errors, faced a triple break point and was dumped with a fourth. Swiatek kept the momentum and held on to love 5-0 with a stunning crosscourt backhand winner.
Kalinskaya, who served to stay in the match, made 5/6 first serve, including her second ace on game point. Swiatek served for the match and a coveted spot in the round of 16. Although she opened with a formidable forehand winner, she struggled to cross the finish line. She made three unforced errors, conceded four deuce and three break points, but converted her second match point with a spectacular inside-in forehand.
She has reached the fourth round down under for the fourth time. She ended with 24 winners 29 unforced errors, saved 4/7 breakpoints during conversion 5/11. She won 66% of first and 52% of second service points and hit 2 aces to 4 double faults.
Although she raised the bar when it mattered, she will need to serve better and make fewer mistakes if she hopes to advance to the quarters. Her next opponent is an Australian qualifier, Madison Inglis, who received a walkover from Naomi Osaka.
Inglis is currently #168 but achieved a career-high rank of 112. With three qualifying matches to her name and two impressive three-set victories over compatriot Katie Birrell (6-4 in the 3rd) and tour veteran Laura Siegemund ( 10-7 in the 3rd set breaker), the twenty-eight year old will compete with an abundance of confidence and partisan support.
This will be their second meeting at tour level and first at Grand Slam level. Swiatek won in Straights in Adelaide five years ago. This match, intended for an evening session, is a must-see.
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