Swiatek stunned at Wimbledon as Cornet ends winning streak

World number one Iga Swiatek crashed out of Wimbledon after going down in straight sets against an inspired Alize Cornet on Saturday.

The top seed – and winner of six straight WTA titles this year – saw her remarkable run of 37 consecutive victories come to an end as she was beaten 6-4 6-2 on Centre Court.

Swiatek, who has never progressed beyond round four at SW19, was uncharacteristically out of sorts; registering 33 unforced errors compared to just seven from her opponent.

Cornet knows what it takes to shock an in-form world number one at the All England Club, having ended Serena Williams’ 34-match winning streak at the same stage here in 2014.

And it was a case of déjà vu eight years on. Appearing in her record-equalling 62nd consecutive Slam – matching Ai Sugiyama – the 32-year-old inflicted a first defeat on Swiatek since mid-February when the Pole was beaten by Jelena Ostapenko in Dubai.

Cornet’s reward is a showdown with Ajla Tomljanovic, who came from behind to see off 2021 French Open champion Barbora Krejcikova 2-6 6-4 6-3.

Elsewhere, fourth seed Stefanos Tsitsipas was sent packing by Nick Kyrgios during a frosty four-set encounter.

Both players were fortunate to avoid defaults; Kyrgios appeared to swear at officials in the opening set, while Tsitsipas struck a ball into the crowd during the second.

But despite ever-present tension, the Australian held his nerve to prevail 6-7(2) 6-4 6-3 7-6(7).

Next up for him is 20-year-old Brandon Nakashima, who saw off Daniel Galan in straight sets to become the youngest American to reach round four at Wimbledon since Andy Roddick in 2003.

Two-time champion Rafael Nadal is through to round four for the 10th time after soaring past Lorenzo Sonego 6-1 6-2 6-4. The 22-time Major winner will face Botic Van de Zandschlup after the Queen’s Club semi-finalist overcame Richard Gasquet to reach his maiden fourth round at a Slam.

Eastbourne champion Taylor Fritz won his seventh consecutive match after defeating Alex Molcan in straight sets to set up a showdown with Jason Kubler, who beat Jack Sock in five.

Alex De Minaur ended the hopes of home favourite Liam Broady with a 6-3 6-4 7-5 victory. The Australian will now face Cristian Garin after the Chilean denied Jenson Brooksby in four sets.

In the Ladies’ draw, Paula Badosa ended a run of six successive grass-court defeats against seeded opponents; the Spaniard beat two-time champion Petra Kvitova 7-5 7-6(4).

The fourth seed is yet to drop a set this year – much like her round-four opponent Simona Halep; the 2019 winner recording her 10th straight victory at Wimbledon after denying Magdalena Frech 6-4 6-1.

Amanda Anisimova and Harmony Tan advanced to the fourth round here for the first time and will face off after overcoming French Open finalist Coco Gauff and Katie Boulter respectively.

But there was no joy for Jessica Pegula; the eighth seed was beaten by Petra Martic for the fifth time in six meetings. The world number 80 will take on Elena Rybakina, who is through to round four for the second year running after seeing off Qinwen Zheng.

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Wimbledon 2022 Day Six Results

Saturday July 2

Centre Court
Coco Gauff 7-6(4) 2-6 1-6 Amanda Anisimova
Paula Badosa 7-5 7-6(4) Petra Kvitova
Lorenzo Sonego 1-6 2-6 4-6 Rafael Nadal

No.1 Court
Alex De Minaur 6-3 6-4 7-5 Liam Broady
Iga Swiatek 4-6 2-6 Alize Cornet
Nick Kyrgios 6-7(2) 6-4 6-3 7-6(7) Stefanos Tsitsipas

No.2 Court
Harmony Tan 6-1 6-1 Katie Boulter
Richard Gasquet 5-7 6-2 6-7(7) 1-6 Botic Van De Zandschulp
Magdalena Frech 4-6 1-6 Simona Halep

No.3 Court
Cristian Garin 6-2 6-3 1-6 6-4 Jenson Brooksby
Alex Molcan 4-6 1-6 6-7(3) Taylor Fritz
Petra Martic 6-2 7-6(5) Jessica Pegula

Court 12
Ajla Tomljanovic 2-6 6-4 6-3 Barbora Krejcikova
Brandon Nakashima 6-4 6-4 6-1 Daniel Galan

Court 18
Jack Sock 2-6 6-4 7-5 6-7(4) 3-6 Jason Kubler
Qinwen Zheng 6-7(4) 5-7 Elena Rybakina