Defending US Open champion Iga Swiatek falls to Jelena Ostapenko

So much for this Coco Gauff-Iga Swiatek confrontation.

The world No. 1 player could not keep her end of the bargain. In fact, she couldn’t get near it.

After winning the first set, Swiatek was crushed by Latvian Jelena Ostapenko, 3-6, 6-3, 6-1 at Arthur Ashe Stadium, losing in the fourth round of the US Open on Sunday night and losing her number 1 worldwide. ranking to Victoria Azarenka in the process.

“I knew she was a great player and was very, very consistent, especially in recent years. I also knew she would have all the pressure because she’s obviously No. 1,” said 2017 French Open champion Ostapenko after improving to 4-0 in her career against Swiatek. “I think if she loses to me today, she will lose first place. I was just trying to make it difficult for him, play my game and fight to the very last point.

Instead of a quarter-final showdown against last year’s Open champion, sixth-seeded Gauff will meet number 20 Ostapenko, who had never made it past the third round in Flushing until Sunday.

Gauff is now the highest seed in his half of the table.

At one point, Ostapenko won 11 of 14 games, absolutely dominating Swiatek.

She won 25 of 36 points in a quick third set and beat Swiatek seven times in a one hour and 48 minute match.

The No.1 seed had progressed in his first three matches, losing a total of nine games.

But his luck changed in the last game of the day at Ashe.

So did her hopes of repeating herself as a US Open champion.

“I’m just surprised that my level has changed so drastically. I don’t know what happened with my game,” Swiatek said. “I suddenly had no control. I don’t know why I started making so many mistakes.