Iga Swiatek stunned by 19-year-old Linda Noskova in Australian Open

World number one women’s player Iga Swiatek of Poland was knocked out from the Australian Open by 19-year-old Linda Noskova in the third round on Saturday.

Noskova, the 2021 French Open junior champion, made a comeback after losing the first set to win 3-6, 6-3, 6-4 win in Melbourne to reach the round of 16.

Siwatek, who is renowned for easing past opponents with the odd "bagel" or 6-0 scoreline, had a difficult start in Melbourne, enduring a first-set tiebreak in her opener against Sofia Kenin before making a comeback from the brink of defeat to win against Danielle Collins last time out.

Noskova, 19, emerged as a dangerous opponent with three top-10 wins under her belt, but Swiatek stamped her authority early in the match as she broke in the sixth game and won the first set.

The 22-year-old looked in control in the second set as well as she forced Noskova into uncomfortable positions but the Czech held firm, responding with some clean hitting of her own and breaking as she levelled the contest.

The duo exchanged breaks of serve in the third set but Noskova did not give up and took the lead to close out the match. 

Swiatek’s 18-match win streak, dating to October 1, was also broken as a result of the defeat.

Swiatek has won three French Opens and a U.S. Open. Her best Australian Open result was qualifying for the semi-finals in 2022.

Swiatek was the last top-10 player left in the top half of the women’s draw.