“Mentally,as well,I felt … I could kind of start over and not expect a lot,just try to play my game.”
Noskova is the first teenager to defeat the world No. 1 at the Australian Open since Amelie Mauresmo defeated Lindsay Davenport 25 years ago.
The Czech is on a hot streak and won her seventh match for the year on Saturday night,but she’s not the only teen to be doing big things at the Australian Open.
Russian Mirra Andreeva,16,was the talk of the town after surging into the second week on Friday. And Noskova’s shock win only adds to the intrigue over this year’s women’s champion.
Noskova,who already boasted three wins over top 10 players including Petra Kvitova last year,said she entered the match quietly confident.
“I know that I have improved a lot in the last year and a half,year,” said Noskova.
“I just believed[in] my game tonight. I just really wanted this win because I didn’t really come to that court with the thought of … ‘I have nothing to lose’. I took it very seriously.
“I just know that when I’m going to be aggressive,I can play with anyone.”
Swiatek was philosophical in defeat and said this year’s circumstances were “totally different” to 12 months ago when she was eliminated by eventual finalist Elena Rybakina.
“Last year I felt like much more off the balance,” she said
“I felt like the whole season may be just tough because of the start. I was expecting much more. This year I was more focused on just not the results and not the rankings or my game a little bit more.
“I know I’m going to have plenty of chances during the season to show my game.”
Swiatek reached the second round in her Australian Open main draw debut in 2019. But it hasn’t been the happiest hunting ground for her since. Her best result at Melbourne Park was reaching the semi-finals two years ago.
Sleep-deprived Medvedev enjoys three-set win
World No.3 and two-time Australian Open finalist Daniil Medvedev had the benefit of a straight sets win on Saturday night less than 48 hours afterhis second round clash finished at 3:39am.
Medvedev revealed he woke up the following day at midday – “which is a good sleep” – and was feeling more physically affected on Saturday compared to Friday ahead of his clash against Canadian Felix Auger-Aliassime.
It didn’t really show as he defeated the Canadian 6-3,6-4,6-3 on Margaret Court Arena.
“By the time we did treatment,I went to bed at 7. Woke up at 12,which is a good sleep,” said Medvedev.
“Yesterday,I came to the courts. Everyone was asking me ‘what are you doing here? How are you feeling’?
“I was actually like,‘not too bad’.”
The circumstances of his opening week,in which he reeled in a two-sets deficit against Finland’s Emil Ruusuvuori before he closed out the match in the wee hours left him short of rest and fitness for the clash against Auger-Aliassime.
“During the day I slept again,” Medvedev said about his preparation.
“Today was like tough sleep. I felt like I’m missing sleep. As I said,I was not 100 per cent today physically,but I was 90,85[per cent] which is still good.”
Medvedev last reached the Australian Open final in 2022 but that night he gave up a two-sets-to-love lead against Rafael Nadal. Two years on,Medvedev said that defeat was “100 per cent” behind him.
“I’m 100 per cent[about this] let’s say,left this match behind,” said Medvedev,US Open champion in 2021.
“Only future and present is ahead. Was tough. Was tough. I mean,for sure[I] wanted to win it. Was close. Then even fifth set,when he was like kind of almost winning it,I came back but still lost.
“I’m focusing on right now. I want to ... try to have my chance of winning another grand slam.”
Zverev awaits ‘tough match’ against Norrie
Top German Alexander Zverev followed Iga Swiatek’s shock exit on Rod Laver Arena with a ruthless defeat of American Alex Michelsen on the main court.
The world No.6 will next play Cameron Norrie after the Brit survived a high-level third round match against Norweigan Casper Ruud that went beyond three hours.
Should Zverev,as expected,defeat Norrie for a fifth straight time,he’ll likely play world No.2 Carlos Alcaraz in the quarter-finals. But Alcaraz must first defeat Serbian Miomir Kecmanovic.
Zverev said he knows the game of Norrie,an occasional practice partner,quite well. The world No.22 was becoming more aggressive,the German said.
“I have a decent relationship with him,” he said.
“We know each other well. There is no question about that.
“Obviously he’s playing great tennis,you know,beating Casper[Ruud}. I think Casper was undefeated in Australia so far this year.
“The match was a very high level. I’m looking forward to a tough match.”