World No.1 Iga Swiatek has been dumped out the Australian Open in the fourth round by Wimbledon 2022 champion Elena Rybakina in straight sets at Rod Laver Arena.
The top seed struggled to match the power from the 22nd-seeded Kazakh, going down 6-4 6-4 in one hour, 29 minutes.
Rybakina will become one of the favourites to win the Australian Open and now plays the winner of the Coco Gauff vs Jelena Ostapenko match in the quarter-finals.
The Sporting News provided live score updates, highlights and commentary for the match below.
Iga Swiatek vs Elena Rybakina final score 1st set 2nd set [1] Iga Swiatek (POL) 4 4 [22] Elena Rybakina (KAZ) 6 6 Iga Swiatek vs Elena Rybakina live blog, updates, highlights
Second set – Rybakina serve, Swiatek 4-6 Rybakina
15-0: Swiatek nets from the serve
30-0: Swiatek again can’t get the great serve over the net.
40-0: An ace from Elena sets up three match points.
Game, set, match Rybakina: An upset at Rod Laver Arena. Iga Swiatek is out and the Wimbledon champ marches on.
Second set – Swiatek serve, Swiatek 4-5 Rybakina
0-15: Rybakina takes advantage of the second serve and gets the first point.
15-15: The Kazakh can’t make the volley from the drilled pass.
15-30: Swiatek is having trouble on her second serve as Rybakina steps up to gain control and eventually force the error.
15-40: Swiatek goes long and it’s two break points for the Kazakh. Big upset brewing here.
30-40: Swiatek saves one with great attacking tennis. Backhand winner.
40-40: Another is saved as Rybakina goes long.
Adv Rybakina: But the Kazakh hits another winner to get her third break point of the game.
Break Rybakina: The 22nd seed will serve for the match as Swiatek nets. Wow.
Second set – Rybakina serve, Swiatek 4-4 Rybakina
0-15: Swiatek plays two excellent shots to nab the first point.
15-15: Rybakina clubs a crosscourt forehand winner.
30-15: Swiatek can’t return the serve.
30-30: Elena goes for the backhand winner down the line but misses well wide.
40-30: Swiatek nets and it’s game point for the Kazakh.
Game Rybakina: An unreturned gets the 22nd seed the game.
Second set – Swiatek serve, Swiatek 4-3 Rybakina
15-0: The world No.1 hits an ace out wide.
30-0: Swiatek then produces an unreturned serve.
40-0: Rybakina nets from the serve. Easy service game looming for Iga.
Game Swiatek: The first seed holds easily as Rybakina hits wide from the serve.
Second set – Rybakina serve, Swiatek 3-3 Rybakina
0-15: Rybakina nets as Swiatek attempts to her advantage back.
15-15: Elena hits an ace down the T.
30-15: The Kazakh’s power again forces an error out of the world No.1
40-15: Swiatek nets from the first serve.
40-30: The two players slug it out with powerful groundstokes until Rybakina blinks first and goes long.
Game Rybakina: Elena wrong foots Iga and hits a winner to claim her service game.
Second set – Swiatek serve, Swiatek 3-2 Rybakina
0-15: The world No.1 hits too deep after a powerful rally from Rybakina.
0-30: Rybakina could be making a move here. She creams a forehand winner.
0-40: Swiatek nets and it’s three break-back points for the Kazakh.
Break Rybakina: The Kazakh breaks to love. She hits a great scrambling return that Iga can only hit wide crosscourt. Back on serve.
Second set – Rybakina serve, Swiatek 3-1 Rybakina
15-0: Rybakina makes a volley that just hits the let cord and drops over from a powerful Swiatek attempted pass.
30-0: Swiatek goes long from the first serve.
40-0: Looks like a comfortable game for the Kazakh. Iga hits wide.
40-15: The 22nd seed makes an error.
Game Rybakina: Elena is on the board as she executes a smash.
Second set – Swiatek serve, Swiatek 3-0 Rybakina
15-0: Swiatek’s deep shots force Rybakina into the error.
30-0: Rybakina nets going for the clean winner off the second serve.
30-15: The world No.1 drifts a shot wide after Rybakina took control of the rally.
40-15: Iga is close to consolidating the break as she helps the Kazakh make another mistake.
Game Swiatek: The Pole drills a winner off the let cord after Rybakina could only hit a short defensive shot.
Second set – Rybakina serve, Swiatek 2-0 Rybakina
15-0: Heavy hitting by the Kazakh forces Swiatek to net.
30-0: Swiatek goes wide. The Pole might need a level drop from the Kazakh to win this.
30-15: Rybakina drives wide.
30-30: The Kazakh hits too deep after a long rally. Crucial point coming up.
30-40: Rybakina double faults. Pressure? Break point to the Pole.
Break Swiatek: Rybakina again bunts the ball too long and the first break in the second set goes to the world No.1.
Second set – Swiatek serve, Swiatek 1-0 Rybakina
0-15: Rybakina forces Swiatek into the defensive lob and then executes the smash.
15-15: The Kazakh nets as she goes after Swiatek’s second serve.
30-15: Swiatek hits a clean forehand winner down the line. Is she starting to find her range?
40-15: Excellent defence from Elena can’t prevent the Pole hitting a clean winner.
Game Swiatek: Good start by the world No.1. She really needs to improve this set.
First set – Rybakina serve, Swiatek 4-6 Rybakina
15-0: First point to the Kazakh as she attempts to serve it out. An excellent forehand is out of Swiatek’s reach.
30-0: Rybakina drills a great serve and Swiatek can’t return it. Two points from the set.
40-0: Three set points for the Kazakh as Swiatek floats a shot long.
Game, set Rybakina: Elena serves an ace to claim the first set. An upset could be brewing.
First set – Swiatek serve, Swiatek 4-5 Rybakina
0-15: Rybakina bunts a clean backhand winner down the line.
15-15: The Kazakh misses an angled forehand wide.
30-15: Rybakina again goes after the second serve but Swiatek defends well. And wins the point from an Elena error.
40-15: Ace for the Pole.
40-30: Iga comes to the net but Rybakina plays an excellent passing shot.
Game Swiatek: Rybakina will have to serve it out as Iga serves wide and then hits a forehand winner crosscourt.
First set – Rybakina serve, Swiatek 3-5 Rybakina
15-0: Rybakina attempting to consolidate the break. She makes a good start as Swiatek can’t return the serve.
15-15: But the Pole is never out of it. She hits a clinical forehand winner.
15-30: Rybakina hits it long and there is an opening for Iga.
30-30: An unreturned serve. Big point here for the result of the first set.
40-30: Swiatek drives a backhand wide going for the winner.
Game Rybakina: The Kazakh make an excellent forehand down the line and Iga can only go long.
First set – Swiatek serve, Swiatek 3-4 Rybakina
15-0: Rybakina nets once again.
15-15: Iga’s turn to dump the ball into the net.
30-15: After a decent rally, Rybakina hits the net.
30-30: Rybakina’s deep drive forces Swiatek to defend and hit long. Big point.
30-40: A surprise double fault hands break point to Elena.
Break Rybakina: The Kazakh attacks the second serve and hits a forehand winner. She has her nose in front.
First set – Rybakina serve, Swiatek 3-3 Rybakina
0-15: Rybakina starts poorly again with a netted backhand.
15-15: Swiatek finally makes an error going long.
30-15: Rybakina hits an ace down the T.
40-15: The Kazakh moves Swiatek around well and finally gets the unreturned shot.
Game Rybakina: Swiatek nets and we are still on serve here.
First set – Swiatek serve, Swiatek 3-2 Rybakina
15-0: Rybakina again goes after the second serve but she nets.
30-0: Too many errors by the 22nd seed. She goes long attacking Iga.
40-0: Another long shot by Rybakina. Swiatek is asserting herself here.
Game Swiatek: The Pole belts a forehand winner and she is starting to look good here.
First set – Rybakina serve, Swiatek 2-2 Rybakina
0-15: Rybakina drives the ball long.
0-30: Is the Pole making her move? She hits a forehand winner.
0-40: Three break back points. Depth on Swiatek’s shot forces Rybakina to net.
Break Swiatek: Back on serve here. Poor game by the Kazakh.
First set – Swiatek serve, Swiatek 1-2 Rybakina
15-0: Rybakina is forced into netting.
30-0: The Kazakh again can’t get it over the net.
40-0: Swiatek again races to 40-0. Can she hold this time?
40-15: Not at first attempt as Rybakina hits the line with a devastating backhand.
40-30: A great return by Rybakina forces Swiatek into the error.
Game Swiatek: The Pole is finally on the board with a backhand winner.
First set – Rybakina serve, Swiatek 0-2 Rybakina
0-15: Rybakina goes long during the rally.
15-15: Second serve ace out wide for the 22nd seed. Clever.
15-30: The Pole’s turn to attack the serve. She eventually forces Rybakina to hit long.
15-40: Great fight back from Swiatek. Two break points as Rybakina again hits too deep.
30-40: Rybakina saves one with a forehand winner that wrong foots the world No.1.
40-40: Swiatek misses the smash. The crowd groans as it goes long. Two lost break points for the Pole.
Adv Rybakina: Ace out wide for the Wimbledon champ.
Game Rybakina: The Kazakh saves two break points and drills a backhand winner to claim the game.
First set – Swiatek serve, Swiatek 0-1 Rybakina
15-0: Swiatek gets a time violation for not starting the match on time. But the Pole is ready for the contest and clobbers a forehand winner.
30-0: Rybakina nets with an unforced error.
40-0: Rybakina doesn’t take advantage of the second serve and goes long.
40-15: Swiatek’s first blemish as she frames a shot long.
40-30: The Kazakh monsters Swiatek’s serve with a huge return and the Pole can’t get it back.
40-40: Rybakina smashes Swiatek’s second serve for a clean backhand winner. Clear tactic.
Adv Rybakina: The Pole goes wide trying to pass the Kazakh. Early break point chance.
Break Rybakina: Despite being 40-0 up, Swiatek drops her serve. Great start by Rybakina. Attacking the second serve of the world No.1.
12:39pm AEDT: Swiatek to serve.
12:36pm AEDT: Three minutes to go in the warm-up and we are into the match. Will the world No.1 Pole keep marching on her way? Or can Rybakina continue her rise toward the top of the rankings?
12:35pm AEDT: Both players have arrived. Crowd is building at Rod Laver Arena. It’s a lovely day here in Melbourne.
12:30pm AEDT: The two players aren’t too far away from entering the court. Swiatek has won the only meeting between the two in 2021, but Rybakina won Wimbledon last year. The Kazakh is ranked in the 20’s still because Wimbledon results didn’t accrue rankings points because of the absence of Russian and Belarusian players.
12:15pm AEDT: The legends doubles match has just wrapped up on Rod Laver Arena. Means we are on time for a 12:30pm start for the main event.
11:30am AEDT: Two recent Grand Slam tournament winners facing off in the fourth round? Yes please. Swiatek comes into this encounter as the strong favourite, but it is unlikely to be smooth sailing against the reigning Wimbledon champion.
11am AEDT: Today’s match won’t be played before 12:30 pm and will start at the conclusion of the doubles match beforehand.
Pre-match: Hello and welcome to The Sporting News’ live coverage of the Australian Open fourth round match between Iga Swiatek and Elena Rybakina from Rod Laver Arena.
Iga Swiatek vs Elena Rybakina head-to-head results
The only time Swiatek and Rybakina have played each other was in 2021, where the current world No.1 took the victory in straight sets.
Year Winner Score Event Stage 2021 Iga Swiatek 7-6(5) 6-2 J&T Banka Ostrava QF What time is Iga Swiatek vs Elena Rybakina?
Times are approximate and subject to weather conditions and completion to prior matches.
UK USA Canada Australia Date Sunday, January 22 Saturday, January 21 Saturday, January 21 Sunday, January 22 Time 2:30am BST 8:30pm ET 8:30pm ET 12:30pm AEDT
MORE: Australian Open schedule 2023: Full draws, TV coverage, channels & how to watch every tennis match
How to watch Iga Swiatek vs Elena Rybakina in the fourth round of the Australian Open UK USA Canada Australia TV channel Eurosport 1 or 2 ESPN/ESPN2 TSN1/TSN5 Channel 9 Streaming eurosport.uk ESPN+ and fuboTV TSN+ 9Now/Stan Sport
Australia: The Nine Network is the free-to-air broadcaster of the Australian Open 2023.
The Australian Open can also be watched on SmartTV’s 9Now and Stan Sport as well as 9Gem.
Fans can also stream the Australian Open through 9Now and Stan Sport.
UK: Coverage of the Australian Open 2023 will be broadcast in the UK live and exclusively on Eurosport.
Eurosport 1 and 2 will provide daily coverage of the action in Melbourne.
UK fans can also stream the Australian Open through the discovery+ app, the Eurosport app, or through eurosport.co.uk
USA: Tennis fans based in the United States will be able to watch this year’s Australian Open via ESPN. Matches will be broadcast on both ESPN and ESPN2.
ESPN+ and fuboTV will both offer live streaming during the 2023 Australian Open. FuboTV offers a free trial.
Canada: The 2023 Australian Open will be broadcast in Canada by TSN.
Matches will be shown on either TSN1 or TSN5.
Canadian fans are able to live stream the action from Melbourne Park on TSN+.
The full TSN+ broadcast schedule can be accessed here.
