Cornet Snaps Swiatek Streak At Wimbledon; Gauff, Kvitova Out

Eight years after stunning Serena Williams, Alize Cornet knocked out another top seed in the third round at Wimbledon, this time snapping Iga Swiatek’s 37-match win streak with relative ease 6-4, 6-2.

“It’s a big pride for me to win this match against Iga,” Cornet said. “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.”

Swiatek, who hadn’t lost since February 16, has no answer against the Frenchwoman who authored her 24th career Top 10 win.

Swiatek had a lead early in the second 2-0 before Cornet ran off the last six games to knock out the French Open champion.

“Usually I am hard on myself,” said Swiatek, the first women’s No. 1 to lose all year. “Here, I know how I felt before matches, I know how I felt when I was practicing. Let’s just say that I didn’t feel like I’m in a best shape. So I’m kind of aware that this could happen. Maybe it’s not the right attitude to have, but it is like it is.

“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.”

Cornet joins countrywoman Harmony Tan and Caroline Garcia in the fourth round after they, too, pulled big upsets earlier in the week. The 32-year-old just made her first Grand Slam quarterfinal at the Australian Open in January.

“I think that’s why I’m playing so good, it’s because I know it’s almost the end,” Cornet said. “I’m giving everything. I might just play till Roland Garros next year. That’s the plan. But, no, I’m not considering getting back on this decision. We’ll talk about it next year, see which position mentally I’m in.

“I just want to take it match by match. Early when I was walking to Court 1, I was smiling because, ‘Okay, that might be the last time I’m walking to Court No. 1, so please just enjoy yourself, have fun, take all the good energy.'”

Cornet will now face Ajla Tomljanovic on Monday in a rematch of the Australian’s win a year ago at Wimbledon.

The other French finalist, Coco Gauff, also was bundled out. In a rematch of their 2017 US Open junior final it was Amanda Anismova winning going away 6-7(4), 6-2, 6-1.

“It’s my first time playing on Centre Court. It’s the most special day, I think, of my career,” Anisimova said on court. “It’s just a huge privilege to play on this court … playing Coco. She’s an amazing player and just got to the finals of a Grand Slam. Before the match, I was just trying to prepare myself to soak in this moment whether I win or lose. Winning today is just so special.

Anisimova will seek her first Slam quarterfinal of the year against Harmony Tan who crushed Katie Boulter 6-1, 6-1.

It was a mixed day for former champions. Two-time winner Petra Kvitova fell to Paula Badosa in straight sets 7-5, 7-6(4). Kvitova, who won Eastbourne last night, finished just 1-for-11 on break points.

“I think I played almost a perfect match,” Badosa said. “I was expecting Petra playing an amazing match as well. I think it was a big challenge to play against her on grass, but I’m really happy with the win today.”

Into her second straight Wimbledon fourth round, Badosa will meet 2019 champion Simona Halep. The Romanian upped her Wimbledon win streak to 10 breezing past Magdalena Frech 6-4, 6-1.

“I’m happy about it,” said Halep. “I’m trying just to play more offensive and I’m pushing myself to do that. So it was a good match.

“This tournament back in 2019, it’s been the best tournament of my career. The matches that I played here were perfect. So I always have those memories and I have always have confidence that my game is pretty good on grass.”

Tomorrow, with upsets everywhere, Ons Jabeur has been cruising and now she meets the steady Elise Mertens. Former semifinalist Jelena Ostapenko is also on court as is the lone British woman remaining, Heather Watson.

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