Wimbledon 2022 Day 6: Cornet ends Swiatek's streak

Iga's unbeaten run halted at 37

Alize Cornet is no stranger to pulling off upsets on Wimbledon’s No.1 Court.

In 2014, the Frenchwoman shocked a top-ranked Serena Williams in the third round, which was her first victory over a top-10 player at a Grand Slam.

On Saturday, Cornet was back at it again, as she defeated another world No.1, this time Iga Swiatek, on the very same court at the same stage of the tournament.

Cornet ended Swiatek’s 37-match winning streak 6-4, 6-2, becoming the first player to beat the Pole since she rose to the summit of the rankings, and the first to do so since last February.

At 32, Cornet is back in the Wimbledon second week for the first time since 2014, and the second time at a major this season.

“I'm like good wine. In France, good wine always ages well,” said Cornet, who reached the first Grand Slam quarter-final of her career early this season at the Australian Open, on her 63rd major appearance.

The world No.37 added in her press conference: “I'm very happy. I guess I am not processing everything yet.

“I think I'm just in the moment right now. It's a big pride for me to win this match against Iga. I mean, what she's done this year is out of this world, and I can't believe I'm the one that actually broke the streak. This is amazing. I'm very happy to be in the second week again for the second time.”

Cornet’s reward is a last-16 clash with Australian Ajla Tomljanovic.

'I was confused'

Swiatek had struggled in her second round against Dutch lucky loser Lesley Pattinama Kerkhove and looked out of sorts from the start against Cornet on Saturday.

The 21-year-old Pole committed 33 unforced errors and was limited to a 30 per cent success rate on points behind her second serve.

“I know I didn't play good tennis. I was pretty confused about my tactics. As a solid player, she used that pretty well. For sure, it wasn't good performance for me,” said Swiatek, whose 37 wins in a row matched the longest unbeaten run on the women’s tour since 1990.

“But I'm looking forward to next experiences.”

Swiatek had won her last six consecutive tournaments - including Roland-Garros - but repeatedly said she wasn’t feeling completely comfortable on the grass – a surface she feels will take some time to figure out.

“I tried many things to feel better on court, on grass court, but it didn't really work out. That's why I'm not even hard on myself because, like, it's kind of logic that if I couldn't find it even on practices, I'm not going to find it on a match,” she revealed.

Kyrgios sends Tsitsipas packing

In a fiery third round affair, Australian Nick Kyrgios got the better of No.4 seed Stefanos Tsitsipas 6-7(2), 6-4, 6-3, 7-6(7) to reach the Wimbledon fourth round for the fourth time in his career and first since 2016.

In a match that saw both players receive code violations, numerous arguments with the umpire, and some high-quality shot-making, Kyrgios proved once again how dangerous he can be as he posted a second win over Tsitsipas in three weeks.

“Honestly it was a hell of an atmosphere, an amazing match. I honestly felt like the favourite coming in, I played him a couple of weeks ago. But I knew that it was going to be a tough match. He’s a hell of a player. I had my own tactics out there,” said Kyrgios.

“I’m just super happy to be through. He was getting frustrated at times, it’s a frustrating sport that’s for sure. I’ve got ultimate respect for him; whatever happens on the court, I love him.”

Kyrgios, who is now 10-2 on grass this season, will face American Brandon Nakashima for a place in the quarter-finals.

Coco falls in three

Swiatek wasn’t the only Roland-Garros finalist to lose on Saturday. Paris runner-up Coco Gauff suffered a third round exit at the hands of fellow American Amanda Anisimova.

Through to the second week at Wimbledon for the first time, the 20th-seeded Anisimova posted a 6-7(4), 6-2, 6-1 victory over the 18-year-old Gauff, to set up a clash with France’s Harmony Tan.

Anisimova has now made the fourth round at all three Grand Slams so far this season.

“It was super tough match today, but it was extremely special to get to play on Centre Court for the first time in my life. I was trying to soak in every moment that I had. It was extremely special,” said the 20-year-old.

Gauff’s day ended on a positive note as she opened her mixed doubles campaign alongside Jack Sock with a win over British wildcards Kyle Edmund and Olivia Nicholls.

“I think I've grown a lot in my mentality over this trip. I think that's the biggest thing that I'll learn on today,” said world No.12 Gauff.

“I am disappointed but also at the same time I think I did what I could in that moment in the match. She played well. I mean, I played well at moments, and didn't play well in some moments. She was just the better player today.

“So I think there's just a lot I think I have to improve on. I feel like I can get better. I feel like over this trip literally every single day I've gotten better, and that's all I can ask for.”

Rafa cruises

No.2 seed Rafael Nadal played his cleanest match of the week so far as he skipped past Italian No.27 seed Lorenzo Sonego 6-1, 6-2, 6-4.

The two-time Wimbledon champion is through to the fourth round at the All England Club for a fourth successive appearance and will next take on Dutch 21st seed Botic van de Zandschulp.

Nadal has now won his last 17 Grand Slam matches.

The 22-time major winner had a few words with Sonego at the net that looked like a heated discussion related to the roof closure towards the end of the context.

“Sorry, not spicy at all. I feel very sorry now if I bothered him. I just wanted to tell him something. I did it in a nice way but I feel really bad now if I bothered him. I'm going to talk to him right now,” explained Nadal on court.

Badosa sets up Halep meeting

Spanish No.4 seed Paula Badosa was at her battling best as she snapped Petra Kvitova’s seven-match winning streak with a clutch 7-5, 7-6(4) success over the two-time Wimbledon champion.

Badosa saved 10/11 break points she faced in what was a memorable Centre Court debut for the 24-year-old.

She faces another former Wimbledon champion next in the form of 2019 winner Simona Halep, who eased past Magdalena Frech 6-4, 6-1.

“I have a very tough draw. It's like I'm playing Grand Slam champions every match. But still, I like these kind of matches,” said Badosa, who is into the Wimbledon fourth round for a second straight year.

“I played Simona in Madrid. I think she played unbelievable in that match. I hope she doesn't play like that next one against me.”

Interview of the day

Harmony Tan’s biggest supporter in her box so far this fortnight has been her coach Sam Sumyk’s 10-year-old niece, Jing Robinson.

She spoke to the Wimbledon Channel’s Nick McCarvel on Saturday after Tan’s third-round victory.

Tweet of the day

Last year’s quarter-finalist Ajla Tomljanovic returns to the Wimbledon fourth round on the birthday of her late grandmother. The Australian dedicated her victory over Barbora Krejcikova to her Nana.