Big-hitting Linda Noskova stuns Iga Swiatek to reach fourth round in Australian Open debut

Amid one of the most chaotic Australian Open women’s tournaments in recent memory, 19-year-old Linda Noskova only added to the drama as she stunned world No. 1 Iga Swiatek 3-6, 6-3, 6-4 on Saturday.

With only 12 seeded players even making it into the third round—equalling the lowest ever across all Grand Slams since 32 seeds were introduced in 2001—Swiatek’s defeat also ends her quest for a fifth major trophy. The Pole, whose previous best result in Melbourne was a run to the 2022 semifinals, came into their match on an 18-match winning streak that includes the WTA Finals Cancun and the season-opening team event at United Cup.

For world No. 50 Noskova, who is making an unforgettable Australian Open main draw debut, it marks her first time ever reaching the second week at a Grand Slam.

"I'm just really kind of exhausted mentally and physically," she grinned during her post-match press conference. "But I think it was an unbelievable match for me. Playing on such a court for a first time, playing with Iga for a second time, I really wanted to win this, so I'm just glad that I did it."

The Czech already started the tournament with a bang in Melbourne, ousting No. 34 seed Marie Bouzkova in the opening round before moving past American wildcard McCartney Kessler 3-6, 6-3, 6-2.

Taking on the world No.1 on Rod Laver Arena, the pair were locked into a big-hitting battle for more than two hours and 20 minutes—according to sideline reporter Laura Robson on the ESPN broadcast, the average groundstroke speed in this match exceeded the speeds on display in the men’s match between Daniil Medvedev and Felix Auger-Aliassime happening at the same time on Margaret Court Arena.

But it was Swiatek who blinked first at the crucial moments, going down a break twice in the third set. The first time, Swiatek broke straight back to get back on serve at 2-2, but Noskova wouldn’t be denied again as she soon reclaimed the lead at 4-3.

"I felt like I had everything under control. But I think she just went all in without any pressure," Swiatek reflected afterwards. "She probably knew that she has nothing to lose, you know? Maybe I should have done that when I had break points in previous games, but I wanted kind of to be the solid version of myself. I think she went all in."

Noskova made every first serve from that point on, and fell to her knees as Swiatek’s final forehand sailed long to send her to the fourth round.

"I just know that when I'm going to be aggressive, I can play with anyone," Noskova said. "I was coming there on court to have a great match, but (also) to win it obviously."

She became the first teenager to defeat the WTA’s world No. 1 at the Australian Open since 1999, when Amelie Mauresmo toppled Lindsay Davenport. And it won’t get any easier from there, with No. 19 seed Elina Svitolina, a two-time quarterfinalist in Melbourne, up next.