THE big names continue to fall in the women’s draw at the Australian Open, with Elena Rybakina the latest victim.

After an epic record-breaking 31-minute third set tie breaker, the number three seed and 2023 finalist was ultimately beaten by Anna Blinkova 6-4, 4-6, 7²²-6²⁰.

In the match Rybakina served nine aces compared to Blinkova’s four, and the Russian also had triple the number of double faults.

However, Blinkova’s first serve and win off first serve percentage was higher than Rybakina’s, and she saved a higher percentage of the break points she faced.

The unforced error count was about the same for both players, but interestingly the Kazakh earned way more winners than the Russian.

Blinkova’s next opponent is Jasmine Paolini, after the Italian 26th seed beat Tatjana Maria in straight sets.

Rybakina was not the seed to fall yesterday, with Jessica Pegula and Daria Kasatkina also losing.

It was not an easy day for Iga Swiatek or Jelena Ostapenko either, but they both prevailed in three sets over their respective opponents Danielle Collins and Ajla Tomljanovic.

RESULTS:

2024 Australian Open – Day 5

I. Swiatek [1] def. D. Collins 6-4, 3-6, 6-4

A. Blinkova def. E. Rybakina [3] 6-4, 4-6, 7²²-6²⁰

C. Burel def. J. Pegula [5] 6-4, 6-2

V. Azarenka [18] def. C. Tauson 6-4, 3-6, 6-2

S. Stephens def. D. Kasatkina [14] 4-6, 6-3, 6-3

J. Ostapenko [11] def. A. Tomljanovic 6-0, 3-6, 6-4

L. Noskova def. M. Kessler [WC] 6-3, 1-6, 6-4

E. Navarro [27] def. E. Cocciaretto 4-6, 6-3, 6-3

Q. Zheng [12] def. K. Boulter 6-3, 6-3

Y. Wang def. E. Raducanu 6-4, 4-6, 6-4

E. Svitolina [19] def. V. Tomova 6-1, 6-3

J. Paolini [26] def. T. Maria 6-2, 6-3

V. Golubic def. K. Siniakova 6-3, 2-6, 6-4

A. Kalinskaya def. A. Rus 6-1, 7-5

O. Dodin def. M. Trevisan 6-4, 6-4

D. Yastremska [Q] def. V. Gracheva 6-3, 6-2