Defending champion Iga Swiatek faces losing her world No.1 spot after been beaten 3-6, 6-3, 6-1 by Jelena Ostapenko in New York overnight.
The Pole, who will see Aryna Sabalenka take top spot in the rankings, took there first set after shaky start but from there her Latvian opponent took control with an aggressive style of play to take out the second set and then the third comfortably.
The third set turned into a nightmare for Swiatek, who could not handle Ostapenko’s aggression, her deep shots forcing error after error.
Swiatek struggled with her service, winning only 30 per cent of her points with the first serve and 29 per cent with the second.
“My mistakes were so huge, I had no idea why suddenly I couldn’t return,” Swiatek admitted after the match.
“I’m a good returner. I was focusing on the same things as in the first set, and the same things overall, when my game is working. I don’t know. I need to watch it, maybe it will give me some answers.”
