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Iga Swiatek’s reign at the top of women’s tennis has ended after a three-set fourth round US Open defeat at the hands of Jelena Ostapenko.
Swiatek topped the rankings list for 75-weeks straight since inheriting the crown following Ash Barty’s retirement last year.
The Pole arrived at Flushing Meadows as reigning champion and the winner of three of the past six grand slam tournaments.
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But none of that mattered against Ostapenko, whose powerful style disrupts Swiatek’s rhythm. She won 3-6, 6-3, 6-1. In their four meetings to date, Swiatek is yet to taste victory.
No other player has beaten her more since she became No.1.
In their latest meeting that finished after midnight local time on Athur Ashe Stadium, Ostapenko became the first player all year to come from a set down to defeat the 22-year-old.
When world rankings are recalculated next week at the conclusion of the final major of the year, Aryna Sabalenka will be No.1 for the first time.
“The main thing is that she doesn’t really like to play against big hitters. … She likes to have some time,” Ostapenko said. “When I play fast, aggressive and powerful, she’s a little bit in trouble.”
Ostapenko accumulated 31 winners to 18 for Swiatek.
More importantly for Ostapenko, she finished with just 20 unforced errors — quite an improvement from the 80 she had in her second-round victory last week.
When a reporter mentioned Monday’s total, Ostapenko smiled and said, “Not bad.”
After getting off to a terrific start to the second set, which she led 4-1, Ostapenko wavered for a bit. That allowed Swiatek to get a break back and pull to 4-3.
But that was only a blip.
With Swiatek having trouble serving — perhaps owing to all of the squeaking Ostapenko’s shoes did as she moved around during the ball toss while waiting to return — the contest quickly tilted in one direction. Ostapenko reeled off seven consecutive games to go up 5-0 in the third set.
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Ostapenko clinches double break
Swiatek got a break back to avoid an embaressing bagel, but Ostapenko broke one last time to end it, meaning she won seven of Swiatek’s 13 service games in the match.
The 26-year-old Latvian’s first quarterfinal at Flushing Meadows will come against Coco Gauff, a 19-year-old American who eliminated Caroline Wozniacki 6-3, 3-6, 6-1 earlier in the day.
Ostapenko and Gauff have split two previous meetings. The most recent came in the fourth round of the Australian Open in January, and Ostapenko won that one.
“She’s a great young player,” Ostapenko said about Gauff. “Of course it’s going to be another tough match. I don’t expect any easy matches at a Grand Slam.”