World No.1 Iga Swiatek admits she struggles to get to grips with the court speed at Melbourne Park after her latest title bid was ended in the third round by unheralded Czech teenager Linda Noskova
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But she insists she won't dwell on her second devastating Australian Open exit in as many years.
Swiatek claimed the first set against world No.50 Noskova and appeared poised to claim her 19th consecutive win and seal progression to the fourth round at Melbourne Park.
But the 19-year-old Czech, who's making her main-draw debut this year, fought back and broke Swiatek in the third set before serving out brilliantly for the biggest win of her career 3-6 6-3 6-4 on Rod Laver Arena.
Noskova is the first teenager to defeat the world No. 1 at the Open since Amelie Mauresmo got the better of Lindsay Davenport in 1999, while Swiatek's search for a maiden Melbourne Park title goes on.
The 22-year-old, who has won at Roland Garros three times and the US Open once, reached the semi-finals in 2022 and was knocked out in the fourth round last year.
When asked what made Melbourne Park so difficult for her, Swiatek said: "Well, surface is quicker. That's all I would say."
"I felt like I had everything under control until she broke me in the second set.
"I had couple of chances to break her in second set and I didn't use them. So that's a shame.
"But when she broke me, she was kind of proactive. I wanted to do that as well later in the next games.
"Sometimes, I was rushing it. I just wasn't playing kind of with my intuition and naturally.
"I guess I'll have to work on stuff to feel more comfortable next year."
Swiatek's defeat presents a golden opportunity for Elina Svitolina and two-time winner Victoria Azarenka - both on the Pole's side of the draw - to make a deep run.
In the opposite bracket, defending champion Aryna Sabalenka and world No.4 Coco Gauff will be licking their lips.
Noskova will play Svitolina, who easily beat Viktorija Golubic 6-2 6-3, in the fourth round, once she comes down from Saturday night's high point.
"I'm speechless," Noskova said.
"I knew it was going to be an amazing match, with the world No.1, such a player, but I didn't really think that it would end up like this."
It will be back to the drawing board for Swiatek, who took this defeat far better than her fourth-round exit last year, and admitted she'd struggled more than normal with her return of serve.
"Technically it didn't work. But I know I did everything I could. I have kind of no regrets," she said.
"For sure, I wish I could have played a little bit better in this tournament.
"This year I feel like I just want to get kind of back to work. I know I'm going to have plenty of chances during the season to show my game.
"Last year I felt like I was just overwhelmed with beginning the year as world No. 1. It kind of took me off my balance. It was totally different."
Swiatek insisted tough opening matches against Sofia Kenin and Danielle Collins hadn't affected her.
Australian Associated Press
