SUMMARY
- Iga Swiatek seemed to be struggling in the early stages of the Australian Open.
- Fans went after Iga Swiatek after she commented about her form in the match.
The 2024 Australian Open has seen top-notch quality tennis in the second-round battles. While the seeds are tumbling in the women’s draw, a few top stars still keep the hopes high. Iga Swiatek faced her first tough test in Melbourne against Danielle Collins. Both players kept the fans on the edges of their seats throughout the match.
At one stage of the match, it looked over for Swiatek. After the match, the world No. 1 admitted that she thought it was the end for her. Swiatek said she was almost at the airport during the match, indicating she had lost hope. “Also, there is No way Iga is going to trouble Ostapenko or Rybakina playing like this,” commented a fan after listening to the post-match interview.
Also there is NO way Iga is going to trouble Ostapenko or Rybakina playing like this.
— slayyyzy (@downundieboy37) January 18, 2024
Epic choke from Collin’s
— slayyyzy (@downundieboy37) January 18, 2024
Collins had her chances in the match but could not make it work and lost control of the momentum. One fan was critical of Swiatek’s form in the second round; the fan commented, “Don’t worry Iga u will be back to airport in the next round.” The Polish player got through the match with attacking shots as Collins struggled to win points.
Don’t worry Iga u will be back to airport in the next round
— Leo🇮🇹- Fan (@Vettel_AMR_) January 18, 2024
She should send Collins a gift basket for gifting her that match.
— Leslie Brodhead (@leslie_gb672) January 18, 2024
Swiatek has now extended her winning streak to 18 matches. She is three wins away from securing 20 wins at the Australian Open. Swiatek will now rest after playing an exhausting game against the Americans. Collins will exit in the second round of the Australian Open for the third time in her career. She reached the finals in 2022 but has not gone past the fourth round at Grand Slams ever since.
Iga Swiatek unlocks new grand slam achievement at Melbourne
Swiatek was facing Collins for the fifth time in her career. It was the second time that the pair played at the Australian Open. The 30-year-old had defeated Swiatek in straight sets in the semifinals of the 2022 edition. But this time, Swiatek came on top after being a game away from being knocked out. The comeback by Swiatek took a lot of time, as it was the longest grand slam match of her career.
After three hours and 14 minutes, the 22-year-old proceeded to the third round. Swiatek was down 1-4 in the final set. But she fought back with strong serves and quick reflexes at the net. Swiatek won six of seven points while coming at the front and saved five breakpoints. Collins was broken three times and committed 13 unforced errors in the third set.
Swiatek will next face Linda Noskova for a place in the fourth round. Noskova is playing in the third round of a grand slam for the first time. The pair had played last year in the semifinals at Warsaw; Swiatek only dropped five games during the match. Noskova will have a day to devise a strategy to break Swiatek’s defense in Melbourne.