Linda Noskova 'shaking' after huge Australian Open upset win over Iga Swiatek - 'I might explode!'
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Updated 20/01/2024 at 12:28 GMT
Iga Swiatek was one of the pre-tournament favourites for the Australian Open, but she was knocked out of the first Grand Slam of the 2024 season after she met Czech teenager Linda Noskova in the third round. Noskova won a 3-6 6-3 6-4 to move into Sunday's fourth round and she said after the match that she "might explode" after pulling off a huge win.
'She was fearless' - Noskova roars back to beat Swiatek in massive upset
Linda Noskova admitted she was “shaking” after a surprise third-round win over world No. 1 Iga Swiatek at the Australian Open.
The 19-year-old Czech player came back from a set down as she pulled off a 3-6 6-3 6-4 comeback victory to move into the fourth round with a very memorable performance inside the Rod Laver Arena.
Swiatek was a heavy favourite to win on Saturday, and was also one of the pre-tournament favourites, but she fell short in the season’s first Grand Slam event.
Speaking after her win, Noskova said: “The match was obviously really, really tough as we went on, I just kind of felt I was getting closer and it was definitely tough to finish it as it always is but I’m just so glad to have my first ever win.”
She added: “I think from the first time that I saw I was going to play her I was just thinking about this match for two days in a row.
"I was just trying to prepare myself mentally, it’s always tough when you go on court with nothing to lose, but I kind of felt I had something to lose tonight so that’s why it was a real match for me.”
Noskova played Swiatek last year in the Poland Open, but lost in straight sets that time, and she appeared to find it hard to believe her second match-up was a win.
“I’m just shaking right now, I don't know what I’m going to do for the next hour!” she explained.
“I might explode! Think I’m going to take some time off and enjoy this with my family.”
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Noskova completes stunning comeback victory over Swiatek - Australian Open highlights
Noskova hadn't appeared overawed by the position she found herself in, playing on one of the biggest stages in tennis against the world number one, headlining the night session. "I just know that when I'm going to be aggressive I can play with anyone," she explained afterwards when she faced the press.
"I know my game, I know I have improved a lot in the last year and a half, so I mean I just played my game tonight and I just really wanted this win... It means a lot to me."
Eurosport pundit Laura Robson praised Noskova's mentality as she held her nerve throughout.
"I think we are all a little shocked in Rod Laver. I kept thinking she’d get a little nervous but then she didn’t," she explained. "She wasn’t overwhelmed by the occasion, she came up with some incredible shot-making.
"In particular serving it out like that, it’s so difficult to get those first serves in play and she was really playing it one point at a time. It’s such a stereotype but we just saw how well it works."
The former player thought that Swiatek had employed the wrong strategy as she tried to play from deep too much.
She said: "As for Iga, that is a really disappointing loss. It felt like she didn’t tactically play a great match, it felt like she was trying to out hit Noskova from the baseline instead of trying to play her way into the points a bit more, getting some height, taking some pace off it - as when Linda is in full flight and ripping the ball left and right, there’s not a lot you can do when your opponent is playing like that.
"Take nothing away from Linda she played outstanding, but certainly some things that Iga will be thinking as she walks off here."
Mats Wilander agreed that Noskova had some decent power, adding: "Not everyone can ball strike like Noskova did, not everyone can be as relaxed as she was.
"It is all credit to her 100% and then I agree with Laura. - Iga Swiatek is world number one with four slams, it is hard to complain about her but then she goes back and thinks about it, maybe she should make the game more physical.
"Maybe being too aggressive takes too much time away from herself."
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Noskova reacts to her stunning win over Swiatek in Eurosport interview
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