CNN
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Jeļena Ostapenko prolonged her spectacular unbeaten run towards world No. 1 Iga Świątek on Sunday, knocking out the defending champion. US Open champion in spherical of 16 at Flushing Meadows.
The sheer energy of massive hitter Ostapenko was once more an excessive amount of for Świątek, and the Latvian received 3-6 6-3 6-1 to enhance to 4-0 of their head-to-head report.
Ostapenko, the No. 20 seed from New York, hit 31 winners en path to victory, ending Świątek’s 75-week run as world No. 1. Belarus’ Aryna Sabalenka will maintain the highest spot for the primary time because the US Open.
“I feel the principle factor is that she would not like enjoying massive hitters,” Ostapenko informed reporters after her win. “She likes to have a while. Once I play quick, aggressive and highly effective, she’s in just a little little bit of bother.
“I at all times count on a troublesome battle towards Iga, she’s an awesome participant and really constant … however I simply went for it. I do know I needed to play my recreation and be aggressive as a result of that is not what she likes.”
After dropping the primary set, Ostapenko went on to dominate the match and raced to a outstanding 5-0 lead within the decisive third set.
Świątek, who has but to drop a set on this 12 months’s match, managed to keep away from one of many bagels she so typically arms opponents, however in the end might do nothing to cease Ostapenko’s energy and accuracy.
“I’m stunned that my stage has modified so drastically,” Świątek informed reporters. “Normally after I play unhealthy, I play unhealthy at first, then I catch up or work issues out. This time, it was the alternative.
“I do not actually know what occurred to my recreation. Rapidly I did not really feel in management.”
Ostapenko, the 2017 French Open champion, will face Coco Gauff within the quarter-finals after {the teenager} defeated the returner. Caroline Wozniacki 6-3 3-6 6-1.
Gauff, who needed to come again from a break within the third set, received the most important title of his profession in Cincinnati earlier than the US Open and continued his good type in New York.
Sixth seed and one of many favorites to elevate the open subject title, Gauff aspires to succeed in a second Grand Slam closing and the primary on dwelling soil.
Her victory capped Wozniacki’s outstanding return to the game after the Dane retired three-and-a-half years in the past to lift a household. This was Wozniacki’s first look at a grand slam because the 2020 Australian Open after returning to the tour alone final month.
Wozniacki’s run at Flushing Meadows, throughout which she knocked out eleventh seed Petra Kvitová, will little question fill her with confidence heading into the brand new season.
“There are a number of positives to take with me going ahead. I am heading in the right direction,” mentioned Wozniacki, the 2018 Australian Open champion.
“I am discovering my type, I am discovering my ft. I am excited to tackle extra occasions and extra gamers.”