Swiatek was defeated by Rybakina, shattering her Grand Slam dream; fans say a "Double Ba" showdown is coming

Swiatek's Grand Slam aspirations were dashed early at the Australian Open, in a way that shocked many!

After witnessing Sabalenka bageled Jovic and Swiatek bageled Inglis, many people said this year's Australian Open women's singles had essentially become a performance by the queens, with the rest just there to keep them company, lacking the strength to challenge. The only truly suspenseful match was between Rybakina and Swiatek.

This match was singled out for two reasons: first, the outcome would determine whether Swiatek is close to achieving the Grand Slam or must wait another year; second, it concerned whether Rybakina could return to the Australian Open semifinals after three years.

This battle was crucial for both the Polish player and the Kazakh beauty, carrying significant meaning behind the scenes.

“For me, the focus is still on serving and maintaining aggression. Let's wait and see what happens,” said Rybakina. The two had met 11 times before, with the Polish player leading 6-5. The Kazakh player knew Swiatek was tough to beat and didn’t make any bold claims before the match, only mentioning her strategy and promising to give her all, leaving the rest to fate.

Supporters of Swiatek believed that at this critical stage of pursuing a Grand Slam, the Polish player would certainly refuse to let Rybakina even the head-to-head to 6-6; otherwise, she would have to wait another year to achieve this great goal, and next year’s uncertainties are many.

Rybakina’s attitude, combined with some external support for Swiatek, seemed to guarantee a clash like a cosmic collision.

From their performance in the first set, the match truly hit everyone’s excitement point, with neither Swiatek nor Rybakina giving an inch in the first eleven games, playing fiercely. It was only in the twelfth game that Rybakina broke the deadlock and took the set 7-5.

The two players created an electrifying and suffocating atmosphere in the first set, so much so that before the second set even began, fans and netizens were already predicting: Swiatek’s powerful comeback was about to start.

However, what everyone got was not the roar of Swiatek’s strong counterattack but the sigh of her unexpected collapse, shocking public opinion.

Regular followers of Swiatek know that when she loses the first set, the frustration usually fuels a stronger fighting spirit within her. That fearsome, reborn Swiatek often emerges then.

Although Swiatek fell behind 0-3 early in the second set, people thought she was just having a brief lapse. Seeing signs of her fighting back afterward, many believed it was only a matter of time before she leveled the score and that a thrilling deciding set would follow. But when Rybakina reached 5-1, the match’s turning point, fans realized their judgment was wrong. Swiatek had indeed collapsed; otherwise, how could she have fought so fiercely in the first set and then suddenly crumble like this? After all, she is capable of battling the Kazakh beauty.

When Swiatek handed over the match with a 1-6 loss in the second set, many immediately said: the Grand Slam dream is shattered. They also emphasized that while Rybakina was a tough hurdle, no one expected Swiatek to resist only two sets and lose so decisively, which was hard to believe.

After defeating Swiatek, Rybakina not only returned to the Australian Open semifinals after three years but also sparked another hot topic: is the "Double Ba" showdown coming?

Many believe Sabalenka and Rybakina have a great chance to meet in the final, largely because Sabalenka has a clear advantage over Svitolina, leading some to think the Belarusian has already secured a spot in the final.

Rybakina’s form from her debut to the semifinals has been outstanding. Especially after defeating Swiatek so decisively, many consider the Kazakh beauty a rightful second favorite to win the Australian Open. Whether she faces Pegula or Anisimova next, as long as Rybakina maintains her aggressive form and momentum, her chances of reaching the final are very high, making the "Double Ba" final something to look forward to.(Source: Tennis Home, Author: Moon River’s Starry Sky)