Iga Swiatek opens up about stunning US Open upset, acknowledges unprecedented mistakes

In a surprising turn of events at the US Open 2023, Iga Swiatek, who had been in excellent form, faced an unexpected exit from the tournament after losing to Jelena Ostapenko. The match took place in the Round of 16 at the Arthur Ashe Stadium in New York, with Ostapenko securing a 6-3, 3-6, 1-6 victory over Swiatek.

Before this match, Swiatek had not dropped a single set in the tournament, making her sudden loss all the more shocking. She struggled to withstand Ostapenko's determined play, ultimately falling to the 20th seed. The decisive moment came when Ostapenko executed a powerful forehand winner, breaking Swiatek's serve on match point. This victory extended Ostapenko's head-to-head record against Swiatek to 4-0.

Swiatek reflects on her defeat

Following her unexpected exit, Swiatek admitted to making significant errors during the match against Ostapenko. She expressed her intention to thoroughly analyze her performance, saying, "My mistakes were so huge, I had no idea why suddenly I couldn't return. I'm a good returner. I was focusing on the same things as in the first set, and the same things overall, when my game is working. I don't know. I need to watch."

Swiatek further elaborated on her surprising performance shift, noting, "Maybe this will give me some answers. I'm just surprised that my level changed so drastically because usually when I play bad, I play bad at the beginning, then I kind of catch up or just problem solve. This time it was totally the opposite."

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Ostapenko's remarkable run and perspective

For Jelena Ostapenko, this victory marked a significant milestone in her career at the hardcourt major. She had previously struggled to advance beyond the third round in six previous main draw appearances at the US Open. Reflecting on her win, Ostapenko acknowledged Swiatek's standing as a top player and the pressure she faced as the number one seed.

She strategically approached the match, recognizing opportunities to seize control. Ostapenko stated, "I knew she's a great player and she's very consistent, especially [in] the last few years. I also knew she would have all the pressure because she's number one. If she loses against me she loses the number one spot."

Ostapenko's impressive performance and determination allowed her to dominate the match's latter stages. Looking ahead, she is set to face Coco Gauff in her next match, following Gauff's victory over wildcard Caroline Wozniacki in three sets.

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As a result of her exit from the tournament, Swiatek will see Aryna Sabalenka replace her as the world number one, ending Swiatek's reign as the top-ranked player since April 2022. The US Open continues to provide thrilling moments and unexpected outcomes, keeping tennis fans eagerly anticipating each match.