Czech teenager Noskova knocks out Iga Swiatek in Melbourne
World No 1 Iga Swiatek was knocked out in the third round of the Australian Open by teenager Linda Noskova
World No 1 Iga Swiatek is out of the Australian Open, suffering a third-round exit at the hands of unseeded teenager Linda Noskova, losing 6-3 3-6 6-4.
The 19-year-old Czech is the first teenager to defeat the world No 1 at an Australian Open since Amelie Mauresmo beat Lindsay Davenport in the 1999 semi-finals.
Swiatek, who also survived a scare when defeating Danielle Collins in three sets in the second round, appeared to be in complete control when taking the opening set 6-3.
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Noskova was competitive, with her first serve a real weapon, but she was proving inconsistent with it and Swiatek threatened to break on multiple occasions in the second set before the Pole was herself broken to love.
Linda Noskova celebrates her shock third-round win over world No 1 Iga Swiatek
It suddenly meant that Noskova was serving for the set, forcing a decider, and not only did she do that but she started the third set much the stronger of the two players.
The Czech broke again in the third game, only for Swiatek to earn it back immediately. But, in the seventh game, Noskova earned the crucial break and then nervelessly served out the set to stun Swiatek.
The four-time Grand Slam winner has yet to win in Melbourne, with a semi-final run in 2022 still her best showing. It’s Swiatek’s earliest exit at the tournament since losing in the second round on her debut in 2019.
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Noskova said after her win: “I’m speechless. Obviously, I knew it was going to be an amazing match, she’s such a great player, but I didn’t really think it would end up like this.
“I’m just really glad to get through this one. I was really shaking [when serving for the match].”