MELBOURNE – World No. 2 Iga Swiatek of Poland staged a gritty comeback to defeat Russia’s Anna Kalinskaya 6-1, 1-6, 6-1 on Saturday, securing her spot in the Australian Open Round of 16.
The match at Margaret Court Arena lasted 1 hour and 44 minutes, showcasing Swiatek’s resilience as she eyes her first Australian Open title to complete a career Grand Slam. The six-time Grand Slam champion dominated the opening set with powerful serves, racing to a 5-1 lead in just 24 minutes.
Kalinskaya flipped the script in the second set, capitalizing on Swiatek’s three service breaks and unforced errors to level the contest at one set apiece. Swiatek called for a medical timeout between the second and third sets due to lower back pain, but returned with fire.
In the decider, the Polish star won six straight games, overwhelming Kalinskaya with relentless pressure. Despite saving three break points late, Kalinskaya couldn’t stem the tide as Swiatek sealed the victory.
Swiatek, a two-time Australian Open semifinalist with a 25-7 record here, has now reached at least the fourth round six times. Her overall Grand Slam ledger stands at an impressive 107-21.
Next up for the second seed is qualifier Madison Keys, the last remaining home favorite in the draw. Swiatek’s form positions her strongly for a deep run in Melbourne.