THE upsets, surprises and the intrigue continue to play out in the women’s singles draw of the Australian Open, with seeds tumbling out of the competition.

One of those to fall yesterday was the first seed Iga Swiatek, who fell to world number 50 Linda Noskova.

In a gruelling, almost two and half hour match, the Pole won the first set before the Czech came back to win the next two sets and ultimately take the win 3-6, 6-3, 6-4.

Noskova smashed 10 aces past Swiatek, but also served four double faults compared to Swiatek’s one. Both players had the same first serve in percentage, but crucially for Noskova she won a higher percentage off first serve. Interestingly though, they both had a similar number of winners and break points won.

Noskova’s next opponent will be Elina Svitolina, after the Ukrainian accounted for Swiss Viktorija Golubic in straight sets and is perhaps breathing a sigh of relief she does not have to face the top seed next.

Swiatek was not the only seed to fall yesterday.

Victoria Azarenka accounted for Jelena Ostapenko in straight sets, while the exciting tournament of qualifier Dayana Yastremska continues after she accounted for Emma Navarro in three sets.

RESULTS:

2024 Australian Open – Day 7

Q. Zheng [12] def. Y. Wang 6 – 4, 2 – 6, 7¹⁰ – 6⁸
L. Noskova def. I. Swiatek [1] 3 – 6, 6 – 3, 6 – 4
V. Azarenka [18] def. J. Ostapenko [11] 6 – 1, 7 – 5
E. Svitolina [19] def. V. Golubic 6 – 2, 6 – 3
D. Yastremska [Q] def. E. Navarro [27] 6 – 2, 2 – 6, 6 – 1
A. Kalinskaya def. S. Stephens 6⁸ – 7¹⁰, 6 – 1, 6 – 4
J. Paolini [26] def. A. Blinkova 7⁷ – 6¹, 6 – 4
O. Dodin def. C. Burel 6 – 2, 6 – 4