Iga Swiatek’s bid to complete the career Grand Slam at this year’s Australian Open was ended by Kazakh fifth seed Elena Rybakina in the quarter-finals.
Reigning Wimbledon champion Swiatek lost 7-5 6-1 as Rybakina used her power to devastating effect.
Swiatek, 24, can already be ranked among the greats, having won six major titles across all three different surfaces.
Mastering the Wimbledon grass last year – a surface considered her weakest – opened the door to attempting in Melbourne to become only the sixth woman in the Open era to win all four Grand Slam events.
Before the tournament, Swiatek acknowledged the achievement would be a “dream come true” but insisted she was blocking out the outside noise about what was at stake.
On the evidence of what she had showed over the opening four rounds, it never truly felt that she would complete the clean sweep this year.
Swiatek’s service game had not been solid, while the quicker courts at Melbourne Park have historically led to problems against aggressive opponents.
That always promised to be a bad combination against 2022 Wimbledon champion Rybakina, who ruthlessly took advantage in Wednesday’s contest.
Rybakina, 26, could not find rhythm with her serve in a first set which started with the pair exchanging breaks.
A low first-serve percentage of 41% was uncharacteristic, but she had enough pace and aggression in her groundstrokes to rush Swiatek.
That was demonstrated in the crucial 12th game. Rybakina fought back from 0-30 with deep returning – drawing loose sprays from Swiatek – and explosive winners to take the opener.
Momentum stayed with Rybakina as she immediately took control of the second set.
In perfect 22C sunny conditions following Tuesday’s heatwave, her groundstrokes continued to fly through the court and Swiatek was unable to solve the problem facing her.