Swiatek crushes 'lucky loser' Lys to reach Melbourne quarters

NEW DELHI: Iga Swiatek showed no mercy as she brought an end to Eva Lys's remarkable journey at the Australian Open in Melbourne on Monday, storming into the quarter-finals with a commanding 6-0, 6-1 victory.

The world number two, and five-time Grand Slam champion, demonstrated her dominance against the German "lucky loser" to set up a clash with either Emma Navarro or Daria Kasatkina for a spot in the semi-finals.

"There’s a lot to improve. I don’t feel like I’m at my peak yet," said Swiatek, reflecting on her performance. "But matches like this give me confidence, and I feel like I’m playing a good game."

Swiatek, who has struggled to find consistency at the Australian Open in the past — only making the semi-finals once, in 2022—believes she has found her rhythm this year.

"I usually didn’t feel comfortable at the Australian Open with my game," she admitted. "But this year it’s a bit better. I’m just enjoying being on and off the court. I’m having an amazing time here, and hopefully, it lasts even longer."

Despite Lys’s spirited effort, the result was inevitable. The former world number one fended off two break points in the opening game before asserting her authority, dropping just 10 points in a first set that lasted a mere 24 minutes.

When Swiatek raced to a 3-0 lead in the second set, the prospect of a humiliating "double bagel" (6-0, 6-0) seemed imminent. However, Lys managed to hold her serve and celebrated the moment triumphantly, earning a rousing ovation from the crowd at Rod Laver Arena.

Swiatek wrapped up the match in just an hour, showcasing the gulf in class between the two players. The 23-year-old has been in formidable form, losing only 11 games in her four matches at Melbourne Park.

For world number 128 Lys, her journey may have ended, but it was nothing short of extraordinary. After losing in the qualifying rounds, she earned a spot in the main draw as a lucky loser following Anna Kalinskaya's late withdrawal. Lys made history as the first lucky loser since 1988 to reach the fourth round of the Australian Open, marking an unforgettable chapter in her career.

"It’s been an insane story," said Lys, whose run captivated fans despite its abrupt conclusion. Had she won, she would have become the first lucky loser in history to reach a Grand Slam quarter-final.

Swiatek, however, remains firmly focused on her campaign, warning her competitors that she is intent on making this year’s Australian Open her most successful yet.