Nineteen-year-old Linda Noskova of the Czech Republic recorded her career-best victory with a 3-6 6-3 6-4 upset of world No.1 Iga Swiatek in the third round of the Australian Open.
Last year at the Australian Open, Noskova lost in the first round of qualifying. Now, making her main-draw debut in Melbourne, the 2021 junior Roland Garros champion rallied from a set down to earn her fourth career win over a Top 10 player and advance to the fourth round of a Grand Slam for the first time.
Top-seeded Swiatek clinched the first set by securing a pivotal break in the sixth game. As the second set unfolded with the score leveled at 3-3, Swiatek found herself with a break point opportunity. However, Noskova demonstrated remarkable resilience by claiming ten consecutive points, ultimately clinching the set with confidence on her second set point.
In the third set, Noskova gained an early break, taking a 2-1 lead. However, Swiatek, after addressing the distraction caused by some on-court monitors, swiftly retaliated with a break of her own. The momentum shifted again in the seventh game, as Noskova secured another break and maintained her advantage. Displaying remarkable skill, Noskova earned her first match point with an impressive tenth ace of the match. Seizing the opportunity, the young Czech sealed the victory with a well-placed serve on her first match point.
