Defending champion Iga Świątek exited the U.S. Open in the fourth round on Sunday and saw her reign as world number one come to an end after she unravelled 3-6 6-3 6-1 against Latvia's Jelena Ostapenko at Arthur Ashe Stadium.
The Polish four-times Grand Slam winner had not dropped a set before Sunday's match but was unable to hold off the confident 20th seed's charge.
She will see Belarusian Aryna Sabalenka replace her as world number one when the standings are updated after the tournament, after holding her place at the top since April 2022.
"When you lose it, there are some sad emotions," said Świątek. "This season was really tough and intense. It's not easy to cope with all of this stuff."
Ostapenko fired off a crisp forehand winner to break her opponent's serve on match point, pumping her fist as she extended her career head-to-head record against Świątek to 4-0.
The 2017 Roland Garros champion next faces American sixth seed Coco Gauff, who beat wildcard Caroline Wozniacki in three sets earlier in the day.
"I always expect a tough battle against Iga," Ostapenko said. "I knew I had to play my game. I have to be aggressive because that's what she doesn't really like and I was just fighting until the very last point."
Świątek got off on the wrong foot, helping Ostapenko to a break in the first game with a double fault and a pair of forehand errors.
She broke back immediately, though, and converted on another break-point chance with a fine forehand winner in the sixth game before taking the first set.
But things began to fall apart for Świątek in the second set.
She sent a forehand out to hand Ostapenko a break in the second game and was unable to convert a break point in the ninth game before Ostapenko tied the match at 1-1.
Świątek looked demoralised in the third set while Ostapenko upped her level further, taking full control to cruise through the first five games and adding only two more unforced errors to her count en route to sealing victory.
"Nothing to lose"
The win extends Ostapenko's best run at the hardcourt major as she had failed to get past the third round in six previous main draw appearances.
The 26-year-old said playing like she had "nothing to lose" was the key to victory.
"I knew she's a great player and she's very consistent, especially last few years. I also knew she would have all the pressure because she's number one. If she loses against me she loses the number one spot," Ostapenko said.
"I knew there will be moments when I have chances, and I waited for them. Second set 4-1, 4-3, a little bit tricky. I was still playing and I was fighting. I think I dominated in the end of the match."
Świątek was surprised to see her level change "so drastically" and would have to re-watch the match to understand where it all went wrong.
She added that she was disappointed by her overall performance at hardcourt majors this year after exiting the Australian Open in the fourth round as well.
"I don't really know what happened with my game. I felt no control suddenly. I just have to watch and see because, yeah, I didn't really know why I started making so many mistakes," she said.
Ostapenko faces a tough challenge against an in-form Gauff, whom she beat in the fourth round of the Australian Open earlier this year.
"She's a great young player, I played against her this year in Australia. It was a tough match," said Ostapenko.
"Of course, it's going to be another tough match. I don't expect any easy matches here at the Grand Slams. So I'm ready for another battle."
Źródło: TVN24 News in English, Reuters
Źródło zdjęcia głównego: Getty Images