Sports Desk
MELBOURNE: Top seed Iga Swiatek has crashed out of the Australian Open after losing to Wimbledon champion Elena Rybakina in the fourth round.
The three-time Grand Slam champion was the heavy favourite for the title, but she could not find a way past the world No. 23 who played confidently and powerfully to beat Swiatek 6-4 6-4 at Melbourne Park.
The 23-year-old Kazakh will next face off against former French Open champion Ostapenko in the quarter-finals. Rybakina, who has not been much persistent in her victory has complained of not receiving the recognition she feels she deserves.
2023 Australian Open
The 2023 Australian Open is a Grand Slam-level tennis tournament that is underway at Melbourne Park from 16–29 January. It is the 111th edition of the grand slam tournament, the 55th in the Open Era, and the first major of 2023.
Elsewhere, American seventh seed Coco Gauff lost 7-5 6-3 to 2017 French Open Champion Jelena Ostapenko in the fourth-round.
Gauff was among the favourites for the year’s first grand slam but was overpowered by the 17th seed from Latvia.
The 18-year-old broke down in tears during an emotional press conference after her surprise exit from the tournament at the last-16 stage on Sunday.
