Iga Swiatek crushed Emma Raducanu on Saturday, securing a dominant spot in the last 16 of the Australian Open, while 38-year-old Frenchman Gael Monfils delivered a shock by ousting fourth seed Taylor Fritz.
Day seven in Melbourne also saw 19-year-old American qualifier Learner Tien extend his dream run with a straight-sets victory, earning him a place in the second week of the tournament.
Later in the day, world number one Jannik Sinner was set to continue his title defense.
In a commanding clash between two former US Open champions, Swiatek crushed Britain’s Raducanu 6-1, 6-0 on Rod Laver Arena.
The Polish star, a five-time Grand Slam champion, is still chasing her first Australian Open crown and will now face German world number 128 Eva Lys, who made history as the first women’s singles “lucky loser” to reach the fourth round since the event moved to Melbourne Park in 1988.
Lys advanced after defeating Romania’s Jaqueline Cristian in three sets.
Swiatek reflected on her performance, saying, “I felt like the ball is listening to me,” after winning 11 consecutive games in her dominant display.
Despite her impressive résumé, Swiatek has yet to surpass the semifinals at Melbourne Park.
Elsewhere, eighth-seeded Emma Navarro from the United States battled her way to a hard-fought 6-4, 3-6, 6-4 win over three-time Slam finalist Ons Jabeur.
Navarro, the daughter of billionaire businessman Ben Navarro, credited her father for instilling resilience, sharing, “We made up a term — biking and crying. I learned a lot of toughness growing up.”
She has excelled in three-set matches this season, holding a 23-9 win-loss record in such encounters.
Sixth seed Elena Rybakina overcame a back issue to secure her place in the next round, defeating Ukraine’s Dayana Yastremska 6-3, 6-4.
The former Wimbledon champion required a medical timeout for a back spasm during the match and admitted, “Not really,” when asked if her back would recover, adding, “So I will see my physio and hopefully he does some magic.”
In other action, American Danielle Collins—known for embracing her role as a crowd antagonist—faced compatriot Madison Keys.
Collins, a finalist in the 2022 Australian Open, will meet Rybakina if she advances.
Monfils Turns Back Time
Monfils thrilled fans with a comeback win over Fritz, taking the match 3-6, 7-5, 7-6 (7/1), 6-4. Currently ranked 41st, the flamboyant Frenchman is enjoying a late-career resurgence.
Just last week, Monfils became the oldest singles champion in ATP Tour history with his victory at the Auckland Classic.
“I warmed up the court for her,” he quipped, referring to his wife, Elina Svitolina, who faces world number four Jasmine Paolini next.
Monfils’ career highlights include semifinal appearances at the French Open and US Open in 2008 and 2016.
Meanwhile, Learner Tien continued to impress, defeating France’s Corentin Moutet 7-6 (12/10), 6-3, 6-3.
Tien became the youngest male player to reach the fourth round of the Australian Open since Rafael Nadal in 2005.
His triumph follows a stunning five-set victory over three-time finalist Daniil Medvedev in the previous round.
Italian defending champion Jannik Sinner is also eyeing a spot in the last 16 as he prepares to face American Marcos Giron.
If successful, Sinner could meet 13th seed Holger Rune, provided the Dane overcomes Serbia’s Miomir Kecmanovic.
Home favourite Alex de Minaur also progressed with a four-set win against Argentina’s Francisco Cerundolo and will next face Alex Michelsen of the U.S. for a spot in the quarterfinals.
