Swiatek crashes out of US Open after loss against Jelena Ostapenko

Iga Swiatek was defeated in her round 4 clash against Jelena Ostapenko 3-6, 6-3, 6-1 at the US Open on Sunday night.

A marvelous performance from Ostapenko saw her turn the match around and sink the reigning US Open champion hopes of retaining the title.

Jelena Ostapenko knocks Iga Swiatek out of the #USOpen pic.twitter.com/VHjswwMIkm

— US Open Tennis (@usopen) September 4, 2023

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Sabalenka takes WAT’s No. 1 spot, replacing Swiatek

Swiatek started the games strongly, clinching the opening set with relative ease. From there on, however, the Latvian changed gear and produced some of her finest tennis to dispatch the world No.1.

The loss means, Swiatek’s reign as world No.1 ends after one and a half year, as world No.2 Aryna Sabalenka will rise to the top after the tournament.

“I’m just surprised that my level changed so drastically, because usually when I play bad, I play bad at the beginning, then I kind of catch up or just problem solve. This time it was totally the opposite,” Swiatek reflected. “I don’t really know what happened with my game. I felt no control suddenly.”

Ostapenko advances to the 1/4 finals, where she will meet Coco Gauff, who eliminated Caroline Wozniacki earlier today.