Top seed Iga Świątek experienced a stunning third-round exit at Wimbledon, falling to world number 35 Yulia Putintseva in a dramatic match. Putintseva, showcasing her tenacity, came back from a set down to defeat the Polish star 3-6, 6-1, 6-2, ending Świątek’s impressive 21-match winning streak.
Reflecting on her triumph, Putintseva expressed her excitement: “It feels really, really great. I was feeling it on the court and that is why I was like fire. I was trying to entertain you more and more with my shots.” This victory propels Putintseva into the last 16, where she will face Latvian 13th seed Jelena Ostapenko.
Elsewhere, the day saw significant upsets and dominant performances. Tunisian Ons Jabeur, a two-time Wimbledon finalist, was ousted by Ukraine’s Elena Svitolina, who won 6-1, 7-6 (7-4). In another decisive match, 2022 Wimbledon champion Elena Rybakina cruised past Danish wildcard and former world number one Caroline Wozniacki, 6-0, 6-1is
Świątek, despite her dominance on clay and hard courts, continues to struggle on grass. Known for her precision and consistency, Świątek uncharacteristically committed 34 unforced errors against Putintseva’s 18. Cheered on by a lively crowd on Court One, Putintseva clinched the win on her third match point.
This marks a remarkable achievement for Putintseva, who had never advanced beyond the second round at Wimbledon before. Her success follows a strong grass-court season, highlighted by her victory at the Birmingham Classic last month. Next up for Putintseva is a challenging match against Jelena Ostapenko, who secured her place in the fourth round with a commanding 6-3, 6-1 win over American Bernarda Pera.
For Świątek, Wimbledon remains a challenging frontier. Despite her status as a five-time major winner, the grass courts of the All England Club have been her least successful surface. She has never advanced past the quarter-finals at this Grand Slam. Looking ahead, the 23-year-old French Open champion will shift her focus back to clay as she prepares for the upcoming Olympics, which will take place at Roland Garros later this summer.
