She was up, she was down.
In the end six-time major champion Iga Swiatek problem-solved her way out of a difficult battle with Anna Kalinskaya, 6-1, 1-6, 6-1 to book her spot in the round of 16 at the Australian Open.
“I know that Anna can play amazing tennis,” Swiatek said. “I just wanted to be there, so when I have a chance I can be proactive and put pressure on her.
“I wanted to focus on myself no matter what was going on on the other side of the net.”
The two-time Aussie Open semifinalist is bidding to become the third youngest player to complete the career Grand Slam – winning at least one of all four majors – and will face Australian qualifier Maddison Inglis in the round of 16.
A mild stroke of good fortune for Swiatek, as Naomi Osaka pulled out of her third round match with Inglis due to an ab injury.
Swiatek improves to 25-7 lifetime at the Happy Slam and 3-1 against Kalinskaya, who played brilliantly in the second set and broke Swiatek’s serve three times, but could not stay on the front foot as the 24-year-old Pole took the power back to improve to 20-10 lifetime in deciding third sets at the majors.
Swiatek doubled up Kalinskaya in the winner count in the deciding set (11-5), and won eight of 12 first-serve return points as she broke serve twice from four opportunities. She also dominated the first set, but Kalinskaya bounced back and went on the attack after winning just one of the first seven games.
