KEY POINTS
- Fifth seed Elena Rybakina defeated world number two Iga Swiatek in straight sets to reach the semi-finals.
- The victory ended Swiatek’s bid to complete a career Grand Slam at the 2026 Australian Open.
- Rybakina dominated the second set, winning eight of the final nine games of the match.
Elena Rybakina produced a masterclass of aggressive tennis on Wednesday to secure her place in the Australian Open semi-finals. The Kazakh player defeated world number two Iga Swiatek with a convincing 7-5, 6-1 victory on Rod Laver Arena. This result marks Rybakina’s first semi-final appearance in Melbourne since her runner-up finish in 2023.
The quarter-final clash began with both athletes struggling to find their rhythm on serve. Swiatek managed an early break in the opening game. However, Rybakina responded immediately to level the score. The first set remained a close contest as both players battled for control from the baseline.
Rybakina eventually broke through in the final game of the first set. Swiatek committed a costly error at the net, handing the Kazakh the opening frame after nearly an hour. Having secured the lead, Rybakina appeared to play with much more freedom and confidence.
In the second set, Rybakina took complete control of the match. She broke Swiatek’s serve early and raced to a 3-0 lead. Her powerful serve became a major factor, as she finished the contest with 11 aces. Rybakina’s relentless pressure forced numerous mistakes from her opponent.
Swiatek struggled to maintain consistency throughout the match. She managed only 10 winners compared to Rybakina’s 26. The Polish star also saw her error count rise as the match progressed. This defeat means the Australian Open crown remains the only major title missing from Swiatek’s collection.
Rybakina has been in exceptional form over the past several months. This win marks her 18th victory in her last 19 matches. It is also her eighth consecutive win against a top-10 opponent. She now holds an even 6-6 head-to-head record against Swiatek.
The 2022 Wimbledon champion expressed satisfaction with her performance after the match. She noted that staying aggressive was key to overcoming the world number two. As the tournament reaches its final stages, Rybakina looks like a serious contender for the title.
She will now face American Jessica Pegula in the semi-finals on Thursday. Pegula advanced after winning an all-American quarter-final against Amanda Anisimova. The winner of that match will move on to Saturday’s final.
