Former US Open champion Iga Swiatek was knocked out of the 2026 US Open after China’s Zheng Qinwen produced another remarkable comeback to defeat the six-time Grand Slam champion 7-5, 6-3 in the fourth round.

Zheng recovered from 0-5 down in the opening set, winning seven consecutive games to turn the match around. The victory sent the Olympic champion into the quarter-finals, where she will face Elena Rybakina.

Zheng turns 0-5 deficit into stunning win

Swiatek appeared to be in complete control after racing to a 5-0 lead. However, Zheng refused to surrender and produced a remarkable seven-game winning streak to take the first set 7-5.

The Chinese player then broke Swiatek’s serve twice in the second set and completed a straight-sets victory in one hour and 56 minutes.

It was another comeback from 0-5 for Zheng. Just days earlier, she had recovered from the same deficit in the deciding set against Madison Keys, also saving a match point during that comeback. (US Open)

Swiatek, the 2022 US Open champion, left the court in tears after the defeat. She had won eight of her previous nine meetings with Zheng before this match. 

Qualifier Zheng reaches quarter-finals

Zheng entered the 2026 US Open through the qualifying draw after her ranking fell to No. 121 following surgery on her right elbow last year.

The 2024 Paris Olympic singles champion has now reached her third US Open quarter-final. She had previously been a finalist at the 2024 Australian Open but had not progressed beyond the quarter-final stage at the other Grand Slam tournaments. 

Her next opponent will be Rybakina, creating a quarter-final between two players who have already made major statements at this tournament.

Rybakina sweeps aside Osaka

Elena Rybakina defeated four-time Grand Slam champion Naomi Osaka 6-1, 6-4 in just 66 minutes to book her place in the last eight.

The second-seeded Kazakh controlled the match from the outset and now has an opportunity to move to world No. 1. A victory over Zheng in the quarter-final would be enough for Rybakina to take the top ranking from Aryna Sabalenka. 

Osaka’s movement was affected by an Achilles issue during the match, according to reports. Despite the defeat, the Japanese former champion had reached the fourth round after making a strong run through the tournament. 

Gauff sets up Andreeva quarter-final

Fourth seed Coco Gauff defeated fellow American Iva Jovic 6-1, 6-4 to reach the quarter-finals.

Gauff, the 2023 US Open champion, controlled the opening set before Jovic mounted a stronger challenge in the second. The 18-year-old American, who was making her first appearance in the US Open fourth round, could not force a deciding set. 

Gauff will next face reigning French Open champion Mirra Andreeva.

Andreeva reaches first US Open quarter-final

Andreeva defeated Anastasia Potapova 5-7, 6-4, 6-3 in a match lasting nearly two and a half hours.

The 19-year-old, seeded fifth, recovered after losing the opening set to reach the US Open quarter-finals for the first time. The result keeps alive her possibility of winning both the French Open and US Open in the same season.

The match ended on a dramatic note when Potapova injured her left knee during the final game. After the match, Andreeva went around the net and embraced her opponent. (US Open)

Zverev advances in men’s draw

In the men’s singles, Alexander Zverev defeated Italy’s Luciano Darderi 6-2, 6-2, 7-6(3) to reach the quarter-finals.

The German fourth-round victory means Zverev has reached the quarter-finals at all four Grand Slam tournaments in 2026, making him the only male player to achieve that feat this year, according to the supplied match report and current tournament coverage. 

Zverev will next meet Botic van de Zandschulp, who defeated lucky loser Arthur Gea in a five-set battle lasting more than five hours. 

US Open Quarter-Final Matchups

• Qinwen Zheng vs Elena Rybakina

• Coco Gauff vs Mirra Andreeva

• Alexander Zverev vs Botic van de Zandschulp

• Other quarter-final pairings to be determined from the remaining fourth-round matches.

The 2026 US Open is now entering its decisive stage, with Zheng’s comeback against Swiatek and Rybakina’s dominant win over Osaka among the biggest developments of the women’s draw. 

Eala defeated the world No. 3 and reigning Wimbledon champion 7-6 (9), 6-2 in a match that lasted more than two hours, becoming the first Filipino player to reach the fourth round of a Grand Slam singles event.

The victory triggered emotional scenes on court. Moments after sealing the match, Eala dropped her racket and sank to her knees before acknowledging the crowd. The young star later dedicated the win to her family, her country and aspiring young athletes back home.

The result carried an added layer of significance because of a connection between the two players that dates back several years.

In 2022, shortly after winning the French Open title, Swiatek visited the Rafael Nadal Academy, where Eala was graduating. During the ceremony, the Polish star handed Eala her graduation certificate and encouraged students to give their best in whatever they pursued. Three years later, the student has produced one of the biggest wins of her career against the very player who inspired her.

This was not the first time Eala had troubled Swiatek. The Filipino had also defeated her at the Miami Open last year, but a victory on Wimbledon’s Centre Court against the defending champion represents a far bigger milestone.

Speaking after the match, Eala reflected on her journey from the Philippines to one of tennis’ biggest stages. She recalled training conditions during her childhood, when access to grass courts was limited.

According to Eala, she often practiced on a court that doubled as a basketball facility. With basketball hoops positioned around the court, she could not retreat too far behind the baseline without risking a collision. Those modest beginnings contrasted sharply with the scene at Wimbledon, where she delivered a composed and aggressive performance against one of the sport’s leading players.

The opening set proved decisive. Eala saved two set points during a tense tie-break before edging ahead 7-6 (9). Having survived the pressure of the first set, she took control of the contest.

Swiatek struggled to respond as Eala raised her level in the second set. The Filipino attacked consistently, dictating rallies and denying the defending champion any opportunity to regain momentum. She wrapped up the second set 6-2 to complete a memorable victory in straight sets.

Eala will now face 13th seed Jasmine Paolini in the Round of 16 as she continues her remarkable run at the All England Club.

For Swiatek, the defeat ends her title defence and extends a notable trend in women’s tennis. Since Serena Williams successfully defended the Wimbledon crown in 2016, no woman has managed to win the tournament in consecutive years.

Elsewhere in the women’s draw, another major seed exited the tournament. Former Wimbledon champion Elena Rybakina was beaten by Belgium’s Elise Mertens in straight sets. The result also ensured that Aryna Sabalenka will remain world No. 1 in the WTA rankings.

Last year’s runner-up Amanda Anisimova was also eliminated after losing to Madison Keys. Reports from court indicated that Anisimova appeared emotional following the defeat.

In the men’s singles competition, Bulgaria’s Grigor Dimitrov advanced to the fourth round after overcoming Italy’s Matteo Berrettini in a five-set battle. Dimitrov won the first two sets before Berrettini fought back to level the contest, but the Bulgarian regained control in the decider to secure victory and book a place in the last 16.

As Wimbledon moves into its second week, Eala’s breakthrough remains one of the defining stories of the championship — a reminder that tennis continues to produce new stars capable of challenging the sport’s established order.

With several British contenders already eliminated from the singles competition, attention has quickly shifted to Fery, who is emerging as one of the surprise stories of this year’s tournament.

Although he now represents Great Britain, Fery was born in Paris to French parents. His family relocated to Wimbledon when he was a child, and he later joined the British tennis development system after initially representing France in his early years. The Stanford University graduate said reaching this stage of Wimbledon carried special meaning because he grew up watching the tournament and dreaming of competing on its courts.

Fery said he had spent much of his childhood imitating players he watched at Wimbledon and described his latest victory as a special moment in his career. His rise has attracted additional attention because of his family background. His mother, Olivia, is a former French Fed Cup player, while his father, Loic, is associated with French football club Lorient.

In the women’s draw, third seed Iga Swiatek delivered one of the most convincing performances of the tournament so far. The Polish star defeated former Wimbledon finalist Karolina Pliskova 6-1, 6-3 in just 69 minutes to secure her place in the third round.

Swiatek looked in complete control throughout the contest, dominating from the baseline and rarely allowing Pliskova opportunities to settle into the match. After navigating a more emotional opening-round encounter, the five-time Grand Slam champion appeared significantly more comfortable on court.

Speaking after the win, Swiatek said she felt much more settled compared to her opening match and was pleased with her focus and decision-making during the contest.

Former Wimbledon champion Elena Rybakina also enjoyed a straightforward afternoon on Centre Court. The Kazakh star defeated American Katie McNally 6-1, 6-2 in 71 minutes to continue her campaign.

Rybakina had been pushed to three sets in her first-round match, raising questions about her rhythm on grass, but she answered those concerns with a dominant display. Her powerful serve and aggressive groundstrokes kept McNally under constant pressure, allowing the 2022 champion to progress without serious difficulty.

She will next face Belgium’s Elise Mertens in the third round.

Elsewhere, experienced Bulgarian Grigor Dimitrov booked his place in the next stage after overcoming Czech player Jakub Mensik in a four-set battle. Dimitrov prevailed 7-6, 4-6, 7-5, 6-3 in a match interrupted by rain.

The contest required the Centre Court roof to be closed, a situation that briefly reminded Dimitrov of last year’s difficult Wimbledon campaign when injury forced him to retire from a high-profile match. This time, however, the Bulgarian successfully navigated the challenge and advanced to set up a meeting with Italy’s Matteo Berrettini.

While British fans celebrated Fery’s success in singles, the doubles competition brought disappointment. Katie Boulter and Heather Watson fought hard and saved multiple match points in a dramatic second-set tiebreak but eventually lost in three sets. Their defeat ensured that all six British women’s doubles pairs exited the tournament in the opening round.

The men’s doubles draw offered some encouragement, with leading British players Henry Patten and Neal Skupski progressing to the second round.

As Wimbledon moves deeper into its second week, Fery now carries the hopes of the home crowd in singles competition, while established contenders such as Swiatek and Rybakina continue their pursuit of another Grand Slam title.

Elena Rybakina Makes History at Australian Open 2026

Elena Rybakina claimed her maiden Australian Open title after defeating world no.1 Aryna Sabalenka in a gripping three-set final at Rod Laver Arena, Melbourne, on Saturday, January 31. The Kazakhstani star won the intense contest 6-4, 4-6, 6-4, adding another major milestone to her rapidly rising tennis career.

With this victory, the Elena Rybakina Australian Open title becomes her second Grand Slam triumph, following her memorable Wimbledon win in 2022. The final, watched by millions worldwide, lived up to expectations as two of the most powerful players in women’s tennis battled for supremacy.

A High-Quality Australian Open Final

The Australian Open final showcased elite-level tennis from both players. Rybakina started strong, using her powerful serve and clean groundstrokes to take the opening set 6-4. Sabalenka, known for her aggressive baseline game, bounced back in the second set, raising her intensity to level the match.

In the decisive third set, Rybakina showed remarkable composure under pressure. She broke Sabalenka at a crucial moment and maintained her nerve to close out the match, silencing doubts and sealing the biggest win of her season so far.

How Rybakina Outplayed the World No.1

According to tennis analysts, Rybakina’s tactical discipline made the difference. Key factors behind her victory included:

 Consistent first-serve percentage

 Calm shot selection during long rallies

 Mental strength in pressure points

 Effective returns against Sabalenka’s power

A former Grand Slam champion, speaking after the match, noted that Rybakina “played fearless tennis and stayed composed when it mattered most.”

Why This Win Matters Right Now

The Elena Rybakina Australian Open title comes at a time when the women’s tennis tour is witnessing intense competition at the top. Defeating Aryna Sabalenka, the reigning world no.1, sends a strong message ahead of the 2026 season.

This victory is expected to boost Rybakina’s ranking, confidence, and global fan following. It also reshapes the WTA title race, making the upcoming tournaments even more exciting.

What’s Next for Elena Rybakina?

With two Grand Slam titles now to her name, Rybakina is firmly established among the elite players of the game. Fans and experts will be watching closely to see if she can continue this momentum in the upcoming hard-court and clay-court tournaments.

Elena Rybakina’s triumph at the Australian Open is more than just another title—it marks her evolution into a consistent Grand Slam contender. By defeating Aryna Sabalenka in a thrilling final, she has written a new chapter in her career and set the tone for an exciting tennis season ahead.