Linda Noskova stuns top seed Iga Swiatek in Australian Open 2024 upset

Published at :January 20, 2024 at 4:56 PM

Modified at :January 24, 2024 at 5:31 PM

(Courtesy : Reuters)

Linda Noskova became the first teenager to beat the world No. 1 at the Australian Open since 1999

Linda Noskova, the 19-year-old Czech sensation, has pulled off the biggest upset of the Australian Open 2024 so far by defeating world No. 1 and four-time Grand Slam champion Iga Swiatek in a three-set thriller on Saturday (January 20).

Noskova, who is ranked No. 50 in the world and making her first appearance in the main draw in Melbourne, came back from a set down to stun the Pole 3-6, 6-3, 6-4 at the Rod Laver Arena.

Swiatek, who was aiming for her fifth major title and her first in Australia, looked in control after taking the first set with a single break of serve. But Noskova, who had already beaten No. 31 seed Marie Bouzkova and American wildcard McCartney Kessler in the previous rounds, showed no signs of nerves or fatigue as she fought back in the second set.

The Czech teenager broke Swiatek twice to level the match at one set apiece and then seized the initiative in the decider with another break for 2-1. Swiatek tried to rally, but her forehand let her down at crucial moments, and she dropped her serve again at 4-3.

Noskova, who was playing on the tournament’s main show court for the first time, held her nerve and served out the match with an ace and a big first serve, falling to the floor in disbelief after securing the biggest win of her career.

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She became the first teenager to beat the world No. 1 at the Australian Open since Amelie Mauresmo in 1999 when she defeated Lindsay Davenport in the fourth round.

Noskova will face either Sweden’s Elina Svitolina or Switzerland’d Viktorija Golubic in the fourth round, where she will hope to continue her dream run and reach her first Grand Slam quarterfinal.

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