• Iga Swiatek overpowers Emma Raducanu with a decisive 6-1, 6-0 victory.
• Swiatek is now the first player to reach the fourth round of the Australian Open.
• No. 2-ranked Swiatek looks to improve her best Australian Open result from 2022.
• Emma Navarro and Alex Michelsen also advance to the next round.
• Naomi Osaka withdraws from the tournament due to injury.

MELBOURNE, Australia (AP/SCMP) — In a compelling clash at the Australian Open, Iga Swiatek showcased her dominance on the court by convincingly defeating Emma Raducanu, the 2021 U.S. Open champion, with a stunning score of 6-1, 6-0. This victory allowed Swiatek to secure a place in the fourth round, marking the third round as a decisive moment in the tournament.

The No. 2-ranked Swiatek, who recently faced a one-month suspension due to a doping case, displayed exceptional skill throughout the match, winning the final eleven games. Reflecting on her performance, she noted, “I felt pretty confident, so at the end I could push for even more” (AP).

Swiatek's best result at the Australian Open has been a semifinal finish in 2022, and she aims to transcend that performance this year. Meanwhile, eighth-seeded Emma Navarro also progressed to the fourth round after a hard-fought match against Ons Jabeur, finishing with a score of 6-4, 3-6, 6-4. Notably, Navarro has engaged in 30 three-set matches since the start of 2024, making her an intriguing competitor in the tournament.

Emerging talents like Alex Michelsen, who previously defeated Stefanos Tsitsipas, joined Swiatek and Navarro in the next round after beating Karen Khachanov 6-3, 7-6 (5), 6-2. Michelsen expressed his astonishment post-match, stating, “I played unbelievably...I am super happy” (SCMP).

However, the Australian Open also faced challenges as Naomi Osaka had to withdraw from her match due to injury, while Novak Djokovic continues to power through the tournament in straight sets.