When Elena Rybakina and Iga Swiatek stepped onto the sun-drenched courts of Melbourne Park for the Australian Open 2026 quarterfinals, few could have predicted the fireworks that would ensue. Not only did Rybakina dethrone the world number two, but she did so with a level of poise and power rarely seen this season, crafting a 7-5, 6-1 masterclass that has echoed through the tennis world.
A battle of nerves and breaks: set one tension builds
The match began with Swiatek, a six-time Grand Slam champion and one of the tour’s most consistent competitors, immediately making her mark. She broke Rybakina’s opening service game, expertly capitalizing on the Kazakh’s unstable second serves. Swiatek’s topspin-heavy strokes and aggressive returns put Rybakina on the defensive early, hinting at the possibility of a routine win.
But Rybakina—a Wimbledon champion in 2022—quickly reminded everyone why she’s feared on hard courts. She broke back in the following game, landing laser-precision winners from the baseline and regaining her composure with some of her trademark deep, flat shots. What followed was a tense, nearly hour-long exchange of powerful serves and ferocious rallies. Both players refused to yield, holding serve with steely resolve.
In a gripping final game of the set, it was Swiatek who blinked first. A crucial netted forehand while facing break point handed Rybakina the critical advantage. The Kazakh secured the set 7-5, flipping the momentum and injecting the match with a jolt of drama.
Set two surge: Rybakina ascends into domination
If fans expected Swiatek to regroup in the second set, they soon witnessed the opposite. Rybakina, fueled by her opening set triumph, unleashed a new gear. Remorselessly exploiting Swiatek’s visible frustration, she delivered a barrage of aces and unreturnable first serves, putting her opponent on the back foot.
A defining moment came in the second game of the set, where Rybakina outmaneuvered Swiatek in a lengthy rally before hammering a forehand winner into the corner, leaving Swiatek motionless and visibly rattled. The Polish star’s nerves began to unravel; a heated debate over a close line call saw her lose concentration, and she dropped her second service game soon after.
Swiatek’s attempts to rebound were met with clever variety and relentless power from Rybakina, who wrapped up the set 6-1 with surgical precision and ice-cold determination. Notably, Rybakina’s serve reached speeds that had the crowd gasping—her fastest clocked at 198 km/h, her accuracy rattling the reigning champion.
What’s next: eyes set on history and a maiden Melbourne crown
With this formidable victory, Rybakina advances to her first-ever Australian Open semifinal, setting up a high-stakes clash with the winner of the Jessica Pegula and Amanda Anisimova showdown. Her hopes are alive for a historic first title Down Under, and her performance has made her one of the favorites of the tournament’s final stages.
Here’s why Elena Rybakina’s quarterfinal win is making waves:
- She defeated Iga Swiatek, widely considered the most mentally tough player on tour.
- Rybakina played with just eight unforced errors compared to Swiatek’s 22.
- Her ace count—an impressive 11 for the match—underscored her serving dominance.
- This marks the first time Rybakina has reached the semifinals at Melbourne Park.