World No. 2 Iga Świątek survived a second-set capitulation to defeat Anna Kalinskaya 6–1, 1–6, 6–1 on Margaret Court Arena.
The Pole, a two-time semi-finalist in Melbourne, appeared to be having it all her own way against her opponent, who was clearly struggling with a back issue at times throughout the match.
But her serve deserted her in the second set, winning just 13% of points behind her first serve, as Kalinskaya raised her level following a medical break.
The Russian was unable to sustain her level, and Iga Świątek pulled away to a relieved victory, wrapping up the deciding set in half an hour.
The opening set was dictated by Świątek’s brilliant movement, and a shaky forehand from Kalinskaya. Świątek was the aggressor from the outset, dragging her opponent around the court and forcing error after error.
After securing an early break, the Pole stayed solid on serve before breaking again in the sixth game, consolidating to wrap up the opening set in just 24 minutes.
The second set began after Kalinskaya received a medical timeout for her back issue. As is so often the case, the break seemed to disrupt Świątek’s flow, aiding the Russian as she moved 2–0 ahead after converting her second break point.
The pair then traded breaks, but as Kalinskaya’s winners count began to climb, Świątek looked increasingly rattled, and when she failed to convert three break-back points, the Russian led 4–1.
Matters worsened for the second seed as a dreadful service game handed Kalinskaya a break to love. With her groundstrokes operating on a completely different level to the opening set, the Russian levelled the match, leaving Świątek pleading for assistance from her box.
Świątek received a medical timeout ahead of the deciding set to address an issue with her finger. She held serve in the opening game, though two double faults would have done little to settle her mind.
The Pole then broke Kalinskaya with devastating hitting off both wings, sealing the break with a ferocious backhand winner before consolidating to move 3–0 ahead.
With Świątek back to her first-set level and the Russian again appearing hampered by her back, the Pole clinched a decisive double break after a wild spell of hitting from her opponent.
Kalinskaya did get on the board to avoid the bagel at 5–1, but it only delayed the inevitable, as Świątek bookended her match with two fine sets, separated by one that will give her plenty of cause for concern.
Speaking on court after her win, Świątek reflected on the match.
“It’s not surprising for me because I know Anna can play amazing tennis. I didn’t feel like I was playing worse in the second set. I feel she played ‘in’ all of the balls that went out in the first. I wanted to focus on myself, no matter what was going on at the other end. The momentum changed for sure.”
