Australian Open 2024: Iga Swiatek exits after shock defeat to Linda Noskova; Carlos Alcaraz advances

World number one Iga Swiatek became the latest top-10 seed to crash out of the Australian Open on Saturday as Carlos Alcaraz sent a chilling warning to his rivals.

Poland’s Swiatek came into the third round match against 50th-ranked Linda Noskova on an 18-match unbeaten run, targeting a first title at Melbourne Park.

But the tournament is turning into a graveyard for the seeds and the 22-year-old four-time major winner lost her way after winning the first set, going down 3-6, 6-3, 6-4.

“I’m speechless,” said Czech player Noskova, who is at her first Australian Open. “I knew it was going to be an amazing match, but I didn’t really think it would end up like this.

“I’m just really glad to get through.”

Just three of the top 10 women’s seeds remain in the draw at the end of the first week – defending champion Aryna Sabalenka, Coco Gauff and Barbora Krejcikova.

With Swiatek’s exit, world number two Sabalenka, from Belarus, is the red-hot favourite to defend her title after producing three dazzling performances.

Alcaraz stars

A day after defending champion Novak Djokovic returned to top form, men’s world number two Alcaraz laid down a marker in a lopsided contest against Chinese teenager Shang Juncheng lasting just 66 minutes.

The 20-year-old, playing a tour-level match against a...

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