Swiatek steels through wobble to hit 24 straight Majors

In the humid glow of Rod Laver Arena on Thursday night, Iga Swiatek carried the weight of unbroken records onto the court against Marie Bouzkova. The world No. 2 sought to push her head-to-head edge to 3-0 in straight sets, her heavy topspin forehands ready to dictate from the baseline. What unfolded was a 6-2, 6-3 victory in 1 hour and 19 minutes, a match that tested her resolve but affirmed her dominance on these hard courts.

A flicker tests her edge

Swiatek’s first set flowed with controlled power, her crosscourt forehands pinning Bouzkova deep while inside-out winners opened angles. The Czech fought back with flat groundstrokes, but Swiatek’s 1–2 pattern—serve dipping into the body followed by a sharp backhand—kept rallies short. Tension rose in the second when Bouzkova broke early to lead 1-0, the crowd’s murmurs amplifying the brief shift as Swiatek’s error count ticked up.

She reset with blistering footwork, reclaiming the break via a down-the-line backhand that grazed the line. Mixing underspin slices to disrupt rhythm, Swiatek forced Bouzkova’s unforced errors past 25, her mental poise turning potential doubt into fuel. This win marks her seventh straight third-round appearance at the Australian Open, a run that traces back to her last second-round exit at the 2019 US Open against Anastasija Sevastova.

Streak anchors a decade

Now at 24 consecutive Grand Slam third rounds, Swiatek stands alone as the first WTA player in the Open Era to reach the Round of 32 in the first 24 women’s singles Majors of a decade. Melbourne’s Plexicushion surface suits her game, the consistent bounce letting her topspin bite low and force weak returns. As she prepares for the third round, possibly against a qualifier, her adaptations—more net rushes against grinders—signal tactical growth amid the draw’s tightening path.

Fans can follow the action through the Australian Open Scores, Draws, and Order of play, tracking every shift in the bracket. Coming off a 2025 that saw her defend Roland Garros but falter in finals contention, Swiatek channels pressure into precision, her deep breaths between points a nod to honed focus. With rivals like Aryna Sabalenka and Coco Gauff advancing, this streak feels like momentum building toward her first Australian Open deep run.

Hard-court momentum builds

Bouzkova’s resilience demanded variety, prompting Swiatek to weave inside-in forehands with lobs that hung in the night air. The victory underscores her surface savvy, blending power and placement to navigate jet lag and heat. As the tournament progresses, expect her to dictate narratives, converting consistency into titles on these courts that reward the bold.