Jelena Ostapenko defeats World No. 1 Iga Swiatek at US Open 2023

The Latvian is set to clash against home favourite Coco Gauff in the quarterfinals

Latvia's Jelena Ostapenko defeated top seed and defending champion Iga Swiatek and progressed to the quarterfinals of the US Open 2023. With this loss, Iga Swiatek is set to lose her World No. 1 spot to Elena Rybakina. The Pole has held the No. 1 position for 75 consecutive weeks, the third-longest first-time streak in the history of the WTA (Women's Tennis Association). 

Reigning US Open champion Iga Swiatek enjoyed a dominant run in the first three rounds at the current edition, not dropping a single game. However, all of it was undone when she faced off against Ostapenko, who turned in an inspired performance to topple the World No.1 in three sets.     

The Latvian has extended her dominance over the defending champion, leading 4-0 in their head-to-head clashes and ending Swiatek’s title defence with a 3-6, 6-3, 6-1 victory in the fourth round of US Open.

Jelena Ostapenko to meet Coco Gauff in the quarterfinals

Jelena Ostapenko advanced to the quarterfinals at Flushing Meadows for the first time. The US Open quarterfinals are the second, the 26-year-old has reached this season, with the previous one being at the Australian Open. The Latvian’s opponent in the quarterfinals will be home favourite and World No. 6 Coco Gauff, who ended Caroline Wozniacki’s comeback bid with a 6-3 3-6 6-1 win. Gauff converted five of the seven break points and sent down 33 winners to Wozniacki’s 14.

The Dane had returned to professional tennis only last month - retiring three years ago in 2020. Yet, she gave a good account of herself, getting the better of two-time Wimbledon champion Petra Kvitova on her way to the fourth round. 

Also, Coco Gauff is the first American teenager to reach back-to-back quarterfinals at the US Open since Serena Williams.