Iga Swiatek’s US Open campaign ended in disastrous circumstances.
The Polish star led Qinwen Zheng 5-0 in the first set of Monday’s fourth-round match, before losing seven consecutive games – and the set.
Zheng eventually defeated Swiatek 7-5, 6-3 inside Arthur Ashe Stadium.
Where will Iga Swiatek be ranked at the end of 2026?
This defeat will be a bitter pill to swallow. After all, the Polish star has failed to win a Grand Slam in 2026 – the first time she has done so in a calendar year since 2021.
Swiatek must remain positive; as Elena Rybakina did in 2025.
Iga Swiatek can learn from Elena Rybakina’s 2025 WTA campaign
Throughout the first nine months of the 2025 season, Elena Rybakina struggled to rediscover her best form.
The Kazakhstani star failed to advance past the fourth round of a Slam and suffered a multitude of early exits at significant WTA events.
Rybakina refused to let these failures define her season.
After losing in the Wuhan Open quarter-finals on October 10, Rybakina entered a period of almost unrecognisable form.
The Kazakhstani player won 11 consecutive matches as she secured titles at the Ningbo Open and WTA Finals.
Rybakina carried this excellent form into 2026, winning her second Grand Slam title at the Australian Open.
Iga Swiatek should look at Rybakina as a shining example of how to achieve success after a period of disappointment.
Iga Swiatek’s next event
Swiatek is set to take a few weeks off before returning to competitive play.
The Polish star is currently scheduled to return at the end of September for the China Open.
| Tournament | Round/Opponent | Score |
| Australian Open | QF/Elena Rybakina | 7-5, 6-1 |
| Roland Garros | R4/Marta Kostyuk | 7-5, 6-1 |
| Wimbledon | R3/Alexandra Eala | 7-6, 6-2 |
| US Open | R4/Qinwen Zheng | 7-5, 6-3 |
Swiatek reached the fourth round of last year’s event before losing to American player Emma Navarro.
Amanda Anisimova won the 2025 title, defeating Linda Noskova in the final.
Swiatek won the China Open in 2023.
The Polish star defeated Russian player Liudmila Samsonova in the final, 6-2, 6-2.
“Well, for sure you could feel that we are playing a final because it was a little bit tense, I would say,” Swiatek said on-court after securing her sixth WTA 1000 title.
“But I’m happy that I kind of adjusted to what Liudmila was playing. I wanted to really be consistent with what I wanted to do no matter how she’s doing.”
Swiatek was unable to defend her title a year later as she did not participate due to personal reasons.
