Iga Swiatek suffered an early exit at the US Open. She lost to Jelena Ostapenko for the fourth time in a row. Swiatek has yet to be able to solve the Ostapenko puzzle so far. To this day, no player has been able to dominate Swiatek like Ostapenko has. Swiatek suffered a similar fate at the start of the season at the Australian Open at the hands of Elena Rybakina.
The Polish player had started the US Open in full swing, but her form dropped completely in the match. Swiatek was asked about what happened in the match; she replied, “I don’t really know what happened with my game. I felt no control suddenly.” Swiatek said she would be watching the match again to understand what had gone wrong.
The world No.1 said she was surprised with her form in the match. Swiatek said she could always find her form in matches, even if she initially struggled. This time, she could not fight back in the match, and her returns were weak against Ostapenko. Swiatek has lost the chance to defend the title and will give up the top spot once the event is over.
Aryna Sabalenka marches ahead of Iga Swiatek in rankings
The 2023 season has opened its doors on Aryna Sabalenka. She started the year by winning the Australian Open and will officially be the world No.1 after the US Open. Sabalenka had been waiting for this moment for over a year as she could finally give up the second spot. She has been the world No. 2 for the past 59 weeks and now is the favorite to take the title at the US Open.
Iga Swiatek’s run of 75 weeks at the top will end once the rankings get published after the event. The 22-year-old was targeting a bagel record at the US Open. She was a few points away from receiving a bagel against Ostapenko in the final set. Swiatek can continue the bagel record next season. Her early exit at the US Open ends her grand slam run in the 2023 season.
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Aryna Sabalenka will rise to world No.1 for the first time in her career after the #USOpen pic.twitter.com/gJaX4SOsb6
— Roland-Garros (@rolandgarros) September 4, 2023
Sabalenka will still hold onto the rankings even if she does not win the title. But the Belarusian player can ensure extra weeks on the top spot if she does win the trophy. Meanwhile, Swiatek must figure out the Ostapenko losing streak and regain the top spot. She can rest or watch her compatriots win their first-ever US Open title.
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