In a dominating play on Monday night, Iga Swiatek defeated made in Australia qualifier Maddison Inglis 6-0, 6-3, reaching the Australian Open quarter-finals for the third time.
Despite a valiant effort on the part of Inglis, however, the distance in rankings was too great to bridge. Shaking any doubts about her form, Iga Swiatek had dominated from the start using her signature heavy topspin to keep the Australian on the back foot.
The Rod Laver Arena crowd, ringing in their ears on the occasion of seeing a local hope for the first time in 2022 – the last time being Ash Barty’s triumph at the fourth round – cheered on theInglis feverishly, but the six-time Grand Slam champion was unfazed.
The first set was nothing but a masterclass in efficiency: Iga Swiatek had wipes Search over it 6-0 in just over 30 minutes.19.9 However, Inglis was not about to fade away.
She opened the second set in a flamboyant way breaking Iga Swiatek’s serve in the opening game and roaring to scorch the partisan bunch present.
Although Iga Swiatek broke back immediately and control the rest of the match, Maddison Inglis hung on her own for a few more games, to well-deserved applause.
“From the beginning I felt a lot of confidence,” Swiatek said after the match. Rev. O’Bara said, “I was just playing my game and that’s it.”
What’s Next for Swiatek?
The triumph paves the way for a dream match with Elena Rybakina who rose after defeating Elise Mertens. While Iga Swiatek leads their head-to-head record by a fine 6-5 margin, she’s adamant nothing past will indicate the future.
“Every match is a different story. . . . “I have to be 100 per cent ready and go for it,” she noted.
A victory over Elena Rybakina would see Iga Swiatek secure another step toward a career Grand Slam – achieved by only seven women in the Open era. She enters with serious momentum in the next round having made six straight majors with Aryna Sabalenka.
A Tournament to Remember for Inglis
For 28-year-old Maddison Inglis, the loss signals the end of a career best run at a major. As the only qualifier to the last 16, she leaves the Melbourne Park with her head held high.
“I think it’s going to take a little bit of time to look back on this AO and be pretty proud of what I’ve accomplished,” Inglis reflected. “From being down match points in the first round to playing on Rod Laver Arena today, it was pretty crazy couple of weeks.”
Saurabh is a passionate tennis content writer and lifelong fan of the game. Whether it’s Grand Slam showdowns or under-the-radar rising stars, Saurabh brings the court to life with sharp analysis, breaking news, and deep-dive features. When they aren’t covering matches, you can find them practicing their topspin forehand or debating who is the GOAT over coffee. Do you enjoy tennis? Then you are in the right place.
