Did Swiatek Just Reach Her 24th Straight Major Third Round? Selekhmeteva Stuns Badosa!
Synopsis
In a thrilling encounter at the Australian Open, World No. 2 Iga Swiatek notched her 24th consecutive Grand Slam third round, defeating Bouzkova with a solid performance. Oksana Selekhmeteva made headlines by upsetting Paula Badosa, marking a career milestone. This article delves into their remarkable journeys and the impact on the tournament.
Key Takeaways
Iga Swiatek continues her remarkable streak at Grand Slams.
Oksana Selekhmeteva achieves a career milestone with her upset victory.
Local talent Maddison Inglis showcases resilience in a lengthy match.
Melbourne, Jan 22 (NationPress) The World No. 2 Iga Swiatek achieved a commanding 6-2, 6-3 victory at the Australian Open on Thursday, marking her progression to the third round in an impressive 24th consecutive Grand Slam appearance.
Earlier this week, Swiatek made history as the first woman to reach the second round in 25 consecutive Grand Slams, a record previously held by Svetlana Kuznetsova (26, from 2006-12). She stands alone as the only woman in the Open Era to advance to the third round of the first 24 majors of any decade. Her last second-round exit occurred at the 2019 US Open, where she faced defeat against Anastasija Sevastova.
Swiatek broke her opponent's serve to take the first set 6-2. Her aggressive baseline strategy proved too much for her rival, with groundstrokes reaching speeds of up to 140 km/h, consistently placing Bouzkova in defensive positions and capping a dominant display on the John Cain Arena.
With the first set under her belt, Swiatek maintained her dominance and finished the match with a steady hold of serve, concluding the second set 6-3 and achieving a straight-sets victory of 6-2, 6-3.
Serving for the match, the second seed showcased remarkable composure despite initial jitters. After an unforced error lost her the first point, Swiatek quickly regained her rhythm with powerful serving and aggressive play.
Although Bouzkova saved two match points with impressive shot-making, Swiatek's superior quality sealed the match. A decisive nine-shot rally culminated in a forehand winner, securing her place in the third round of the Australian Open.
In another exciting match, Oksana Selekhmeteva achieved her first Top 30 victory, advancing to the third round of a Grand Slam for the first time after defeating last year's semifinalist, Paula Badosa.
Selekhmeteva is set to face a Top 20 player for the first time in her career, going up against the No. 6 seed Jessica Pegula in the third round.
Additionally, local qualifier Maddison Inglis progressed to the third round after a grueling match against Laura Siegemund, winning 6-4, 6-7(3), 7-6(7) in 3 hours and 20 minutes, marking it as the second-longest match of the tournament thus far.
Point of View
Our commitment is to cover impactful sports stories that resonate with our audience. The success of Swiatek and the surprise of Selekhmeteva highlight the dynamic nature of tennis, showcasing emerging talents and established champions alike. This narrative offers insights into the evolving landscape of women's tennis, reinforcing our dedication to high-quality sports journalism.
NationPress
20 Jun 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What record did Iga Swiatek achieve at the Australian Open?
Iga Swiatek reached the third round for the 24th consecutive time in a Grand Slam, making her the only woman in the Open Era to achieve this in any decade.
Who did Oksana Selekhmeteva defeat to advance?
Oksana Selekhmeteva upset last year's semifinalist Paula Badosa to move into the third round.
What was the duration of Maddison Inglis's match?
Maddison Inglis's match lasted 3 hours and 20 minutes, making it the second-longest match of the tournament.
