World No. 1 Iga Swiatek's Wimbledon woes continued as she was upset in the third round by Yulia Putintseva, marking the end of her impressive 21-match winning streak. The defeat leaves Swiatek with a quarterfinal finish as her best result in England.
World No. 1 Iga Swiatek's struggles at Wimbledon intensified on Saturday as she was eliminated in the third round by Yulia Putintseva, 3-6, 6-1, 6-2, putting an end to her remarkable 21-match winning streak.
Despite dominating the clay courts of Roland Garros with a fourth title last month, extending her French Open triumphs to three in a row, Swiatek's grass-court woes persisted at the All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club. Her best finish in England remains a quarterfinal appearance from last year.
Swiatek Falters at Wimbledon, Ends 21-Match Winning Streak
The loss to Putintseva showcased Swiatek's difficulties in transitioning from the slower clay courts to the faster grass courts of Wimbledon. She expressed her disappointment, acknowledging the challenges faced on this surface.
"Going from this kind of tennis, where I felt like I'm playing the best tennis in my life, to another surface, where I kind of struggle a little bit more, it's not easy," Swiatek said. "All that stuff really combines to me not really having a good time in Wimbledon."
Swiatek Falters at Wimbledon, Ends 21-Match Winning Streak
Swiatek's struggles were evident throughout the match, as she accumulated 38 unforced errors, more than double Putintseva's 15. The Kazakh player, on the other hand, was in excellent form, continuing her eight-match winning streak on grass, including a title at Birmingham before arriving in London.
Despite the disappointing end to her Wimbledon campaign, Swiatek acknowledged the toll taken by her grueling French Open run. "My tank of really pushing myself to the limits became, suddenly, empty," she said. "I was kind of surprised."
Swiatek Falters at Wimbledon, Ends 21-Match Winning Streak
Putintseva will now face Jelena Ostapenko, the 2017 French Open champion, in the fourth round. The Kazakh player is making history at Wimbledon, reaching the second week of the tournament for the first time in 10 appearances.
Swiatek's elimination leaves the women's singles draw wide open, with several contenders vying for the title. The likes of Ons Jabeur, Jessica Pegula, and Caroline Garcia are among the favorites, eager to seize the opportunity to claim the Wimbledon crown.
Despite her Wimbledon disappointment, Swiatek remains the world's top-ranked player and will be determined to bounce back at upcoming tournaments. Her dominance on clay and hard courts is undeniable, and she will undoubtedly be a force to be reckoned with in the future.
