Swiatek Triumphs Over Kalinskaya in Australian Open Three-Set Thriller

Bassyonni

Published: January 24, 2026 5:55 AM ET

Swiatek Triumphs Over Kalinskaya in Australian Open Three-Set Thriller

Iga Swiatek, the No. 2 seed, triumphed over Anna Kalinskaya, the No. 31 seed, in a gripping three-set encounter at the Australian Open. The match concluded with a score of 6-1, 1-6, 6-1, taking 1 hour and 44 minutes. This victory marks Swiatek’s advancement to the second week of a Grand Slam for the 21st time out of 28 main draws and the sixth time in eight appearances at the Australian Open.

Next Match Preview

Swiatek is set to face Maddison Inglis, the last Australian player remaining in the tournament. Inglis, currently ranked World No. 168, advanced after Naomi Osaka withdrew due to a left abdominal injury. This clash will be notable as it will be the first time Swiatek competes against an Australian player at this Grand Slam event. The two previously faced each other in 2021 in Adelaide, where Swiatek secured a convincing 6-1, 6-2 victory.

Match Analysis

The match against Kalinskaya was characterized by fluctuating momentum. Each player who seized an early lead in the sets maintained control. In the first set, Swiatek demonstrated near-perfect serving, winning 17 out of 20 points on her serve. Conversely, Kalinskaya struggled, dropping her opening service game and concluding the set in just 24 minutes.

After receiving treatment for her back, Kalinskaya improved her performance in the second set. She transformed her game, increasing her winners from three in the first set to ten. Notably, her hold at 4-1 proved crucial as she saved three break points, showcasing her resilience.

Swiatek, grappling with some unforced errors in the second set, regained her focus in the third. She jumped to a 5-0 lead without facing a game point. Although Kalinskaya made the final game challenging, Swiatek ultimately secured her victory with a precise forehand winner on the line, converting her second match point.

Swiatek Reflects on the Match

Swiatek acknowledged the challenge posed by Kalinskaya, noting her capability to play exceptional tennis. The Polish star emphasized the importance of maintaining pressure and staying proactive throughout the match. Despite the unusual scoreline, she felt that Kalinskaya’s improvement in the second set was significant and attributed this to her opponent’s ability to find her rhythm.