Iga Swiatek loses World No.1 ranking after implosion leaves US Open in shock
The World No.1 was left absolutely shellshocked in New York.
Jelena Ostapenko has delivered one of the biggest upsets of the US Open so far having knocked out World No.1 Iga Swiatek in brutal fashion. Swiatek had never defeated the Latvian on the tour and was looking to turn things around on Arthur Ashe Stadium having taken the first set in a strong start.
However, Ostapenko wasn't going to go down swinging and ramped up the pressure as she started to play more aggressively. Swiatek saw herself heading into a deciding set having been broken twice in the second.
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And tennis fans were left stunned when Ostapenko blasted Swiatek off the court in absolutely devastating fashion to win 3-6 6-3 6-1.
Swiatek had no answers to Ostapenko's power as the 21-year-old struggled to stop the onslaught on the main court. Ostapenko finished with 30 winners as Swiatek only narrowly avoided losing the set without winning a game in her late-night defeat.
The defending champion will now lose her World No.1 ranking after 75 weeks at the top of the sport. Aryna Sabalenka will become the new World No.1 regardless of her result going forward at the US Open.
Swiatek was 50-0 in 2023 having taken the first set, meaning Ostapenko became the first player this year to win from a set down against the World No.1. Swiatek was quick to exit court after the defeat with the tennis world in disbelief at her inability to stop Ostapenko at Flushing Meadows.
Aryna Sabalenka guaranteed to become No. 1 for the first time after the #USOpen. The Belarusian will become the 29th woman to hold the top spot since WTA rankings began in 1975
Will end Iga Swiatek's 75-week streak at No. 1, the 12th longest No. 1 run in WTA history#getty pic.twitter.com/nmuuvx9Hlv— Christopher Clarey 🇺🇸 🇫🇷 🇪🇸 (@christophclarey) September 4, 2023
tennis is all about match-ups. and this one is Iga Swiatek’s worst nightmare #USOpen
— Will (@WillBeckman_) September 4, 2023
Ostapenko is doing the thing only Ostapenko can do and has Iga Swiatek on the ropes in the third set. Pure power display.
— Dan Wolken (@DanWolken) September 4, 2023
Wow Ostapenko is on fire 😅🔥🎾 Double fault 🥴Swiatek is collapsing now #USOpen #USOpen2023
— 𝐎 𝐁𝐢𝐠𝐨𝐝𝐞𝐬 🎯 (@BigodesO) September 4, 2023
Iga Swiatek is OUT.
Aryna Sabalenka is the new World No.1.
Jelena Ostapenko was AWESOME. #USOpen— The Tennis Podcast (@TennisPodcast) September 4, 2023
Jelena Ostapenko is truly Iga Swiatek’s kryptonite. How insane is that. 4-0 against the best women’s player since Serena #USOpen
— Seth Wenzel (@SethWenzel27) September 4, 2023
Jelena Ostapenko to face Coco Gauff at US Open
Ostapenko admitted after the match she knew her aggressive style would trouble the reigning champion having extended her record to 4-0 against the three-time grand slam winner.
"I always expected to have a battle against Iga. She is such a great player. She has won many slams," Ostapenko said in her on-court interview. "She is playing very, very consistent. But, when on court, I knew I just had to play my game and I have to be aggressive. Because that is what she doesn't really like.
"In the second and third set I began to step into the court and served better."
Ostapenko will now play American Coco Gauff in the quarter-final. Gauff overcame the challenge of veteran Caroline Wozniacki in three-sets in the round of 16. Ostapenko defeated Gauff at the Australian Open earlier in the year, but the American will have the crowd behind her in a blockbuster contest.
Swiatek's defeat means there will be a new winner of the US Open in 2023. Four Americans remain in the draw.
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