((Automated translation by Reuters, please see disclaimer https://bit.ly/rtrsauto)) by Shrivathsa Sridhar and Nick Mulvenney
World number one Iga Swiatek was eliminated from the Australian Open by young Czech Linda Noskova in the third round on Saturday, further weakening an already thin women’s draw heading into the second week at Melbourne Park.
With just three of the top ten seeds remaining on the women’s side, the main title contenders on the men’s side have all reached the fourth round, with Carlos Alcaraz, Daniil Medvedev and Alexander Zverev joining the charge on day seven .
Swiatek’s efforts to win her first title at Melbourne Park were ended by Noskova, 19, who became the first teenager to beat the top seed since Amélie Mauresmo beat Lindsay Davenport in 1999.
Noskova kept her composure after Swiatek won the first set, as well as on important points in the third set, and only let her emotions take over after serving for a 3-6 6-3 victory 6-4.
“I think it was an incredible match for me,” said the world number 50. “Playing on such a pitch for the first time, playing with Iga for the second time, I really wanted to win this match, so I’m happy I did it”
Swiatek, a four-time Grand Slam champion, said she would have to analyze her mistakes but was confident in her ability to get back up to speed for the rest of the season.
“Of course I would have liked to play a little better in this tournament,” said the 22-year-old Pole. “I think I’m going to have to work on some things to feel more comfortable next year”
Alcaraz reached the fourth round for the first time when Chinese youngster Shang Junchen was injured while trailing in their unequal match 6-1 6-1 1-0.
The second seed still had time to show the qualities that have already allowed him to win two Grand Slam titles and gave himself a good mark out of 10.
“I feel good. Probably seven, eight,” the 20-year-old said. “It’s a high mark, but that’s how I feel. I feel better and better with every match I play”
Daniil Medvedev, who needed five sets to beat Emil Ruusuvuori in a second-round match that ended in the early hours of Friday morning, made short work of Felix Auger-Aliassime to win 6 -3 6-4 6-3.
“Physically it was very tough today,” said the third seed, a two-time finalist in Melbourne.
“I want to try to go to the final again, try to have my chance to win another Grand Slam tournament. I just want to show good tennis, beat good players and hopefully win another title
Sixth-seeded German Zverev also qualified in straight sets after beating American Alex Michelsen 6-2 7-6(4) 6-2 in the final match of the day.
KEEP IT SIMPLE
While Shang failed to become the first Chinese to reach the fourth round of a Grand Slam tournament since 1938, the country will be there in the second week after Zheng Qinwen beat compatriot Wang Yafan 6-4 2- 6 7-6(8).
The 21-year-old received a surprise visit from her compatriot Li Na, the first Chinese player to win a Grand Slam tournament, who triumphed at Melbourne Park in 2014.
“I watched this final ten times,” said the 12th seed. “She said, ‘Don’t think too much, keep it simple.’ I think that’s what I need to do now.”
Zheng will then face Océane Dodin, who won against Clara Burel (6-2 6-4) in a 100% French duel.
Frenchman Arthur Cazaux joined Dodin and Adrian Mannarino in the last 16 with his 6-3 6-3 6-1 victory over Dutchman Tallon Griekspoor, giving him his debut at Melbourne Park.
He will next meet ninth seed Hubert Hurkacz, who kept the Polish flag alive with a 3-6 6-1 7-6(4) 6-3 victory over Ugo Humbert.
Britain will also have a representative in the second week, with Cameron Norrie knocking out 11th seed Casper Ruud 6-4 6-7(7) 6-4 6-3 to reach the fourth round for the first time.
Nuno Borges became the second Portuguese player to reach the second week of a major tournament by beating Grigor Dimitrov 6-7(3) 6-4 6-2 7-6(2) and preparing to meet Medvedev.
Ukrainian Dayana Yastremska will return to the fourth round of a Grand Slam tournament for the first time since Wimbledon 2019 after her 6-2 2-6 6-1 victory over Emma Navarro.
She will next face Victoria Azarenka, who came from 4-1 down in the second set to beat Jelena Ostapenko 6-1 7-5 in a battle of former Grand Slam champions.