MELBOURNE – In a stunning quarterfinal upset at the Australian Open 2026, Kazakhstan’s Elena Rybakina dismantled world No. 2 Iga Swiatek 7-5, 6-1 on Rod Laver Arena, sending the Polish star packing and shattering her Grand Slam dreams.
The 93-minute clash marked the 12th meeting between the two powerhouses, with early games seeing service breaks galore as both struggled for rhythm. Rybakina, however, found her footing at crucial moments, clinching the first set 7-5 after a gritty fightback from 0-40.
The second set was a rout. Rybakina unleashed ferocious groundstrokes, winning eight of the last nine games to dominate proceedings. Swiatek’s first-serve percentage dipped to a mere 49%, allowing Rybakina to pounce relentlessly. The Kazakh star lost just 12 points on her next eight service games, showcasing impeccable control.
This victory evens their head-to-head at 6-6. Rybakina, the 2022 Wimbledon champion, has now won 18 of her last 19 matches since October, including her eighth straight against a top-10 opponent.
Next up in the semifinals, Rybakina faces the winner of Amanda Anisimova vs. Jessica Pegula, eyeing her third Grand Slam final appearance. Swiatek’s early exit raises questions about her form on hard courts, while Rybakina emerges as a title contender.