AO2026: Swiatek Survives Kalinskaya

Swiatek subdues Kalinskaya 6-1, 1-6, 6-1 in Aussie Open third spherical

Iga Swiatek is on a mission. The 24-year-old from Poland, ranked world #2, is searching for her first Australian Open title, having twice (in 2022 & 2025) reached the penultimate spherical. Ought to she prevail, she’d be the third youngest girl to realize the profession grand slam.

It appeared from the outset that Swiatek was going to steamroll her opponent, however the 27-year-old Russian and 31st seed refused to conform. Anna Kalinskaya, nonetheless in quest of her maiden WTA tour title, is presently ranked #33, having achieved a profession excessive of #11 in 2024. That very same 12 months on the WTA 1000 occasion in Dubai, she defeated Swiatek in straight units, her lone victory in three conferences.

Neither participant had dropped a set by way of two rounds in Melbourne. Swiatek gained the toss and elected to serve. In 98-degree climate beneath a closed roof, Swiatek hit two winners, together with an ace out huge, and held to like whereas Kalinskaya donated 4 unforced errors, together with a double fault and dumped serve.

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Swiatek opened the third with two consecutive backhand winners and, although she gifted a double fault, consolidated the break for 3-0. Kalinskaya made 4/4 first serves and held to like to get on the board.

Swiatek opened the fifth with an inside-out forehand winner and held to 15 for 4-1. Kalinskaya dedicated three groundstroke errors, confronted double break level, and dropped serve. Whereas Swiatek stalked the baseline along with her distinctive footwork, Kalinskaya appeared bodily and emotionally flat.

The six-time grand slam champion serving for the set hit two winners, together with her second ace, and following a netted return, secured it in twenty-four minutes. Kalinskaya took a medical day out for her again following the conclusion of the set.

The Russian serving with new balls missed 5/6 first serves, together with a double fault, but managed to carry to 30 whereas Swiatek dedicated two forehand errors, confronted deuce, two break factors, and dumped serve.

Following the go to from the physio, Kalinskaya appeared to maneuver higher and swing extra freely. She opened the third with a incredible forehand down the road however gave again the break with two backhand errors and a blistering crosscourt forehand winner from Swiatek.

The second seed was unable to consolidate the break and, with three pricey errors, gave it again. Kalinskaya opened the fifth with two consecutive errors off deep returns and confronted three deuce and three break factors, however held for 4-1 along with her first ace and an overcooked forehand return from Swiatek.

The reigning Wimbledon champion appeared to have misplaced focus and perception. She donated three consecutive unforced errors, together with one other double fault, and was damaged at love. Kalinskaya, with depth and tempo, struck three colossal forehands, the final inside-out to seal the set 6-1.

Following the conclusion of the set, Swiatek was handled for what gave the impression to be a blister on her proper hand. She served first within the decider and although she hit two consecutive double faults, held to 30 with three winners whereas Kalinskaya missed 3/6 first serves and gifted two consecutive backhand errors to drop serve.

Swiatek, serving with new balls, opened with two consecutive backhand winners and held to 30 to consolidate the break. Kalinskaya opened the third with three consecutive errors, confronted triple break level, and with a fourth, dumped serve. Swiatek maintained momentum and held to like for 5-0 with a surprising crosscourt backhand winner.    

Kalinskaya, serving to remain within the match, made 5/6 first serves, together with her second ace on sport level. Swiatek served for the match and a coveted spot within the spherical of sixteen. Though she opened with a formidable forehand winner, she struggled to cross the end line. She donated three unforced errors, confronted 4 deuce and three break factors, however transformed her second match level with a spectacular inside-in forehand.

She has reached the fourth spherical down beneath for the fourth time. She completed with 24 winners to 29 unforced errors, saved 4/7 break factors whereas changing 5/11. She gained 66% of first and 52% of second serve factors and struck 2 aces to 4 double faults.

Whereas she upped the ante when it mattered, she’ll have to serve higher and commit fewer errors if she hopes to progress to the quarters. Her subsequent opponent is an Australian qualifier, Madison Inglis, who acquired a walkover from Naomi Osaka.

Inglis is presently ranked #168 however achieved a career-high rank of 112. With three qualifying matches beneath her belt and two spectacular three-set wins over compatriot Katie Birrell (6-4 within the 3rd) and tour veteran Laura Siegemund ( 10-7 within the 3rd set breaker), the twenty-eight-year-old will compete with an abundance of confidence and partisan assist.  

This will probably be their second tour-level assembly and first on the Grand Slam stage. Swiatek gained in straights 5 years in the past in Adelaide. This match, destined for a night session, is a must-see.