An intriguing round of 16 draw at the Australian Open

An EPIC performance 💥👏

Linda Noskova defeats World No.1 Swiatek in a three set thriller 3-6, 6-3, 6-4. She books her ticket into the fourth round! #AusOpen pic.twitter.com/WcXZW4uzkL

— wta (@WTA) January 20, 2024

Every major features shock (and not-so-shock) upsets, the break-out of young stars, and the resurgence of players who were either once highly-ranked or who were forgotten along the way. But this Australian Open is especially dramatic with regard to who's in and who's out.

The big news, of course, is that young Czech star Linda Noskova upset world number 1 Iga Swiatek in the third round yesterday. Swiatek barely escaped big hitter Danielle Collins in the second round, and big hitter Noskova was more than she could handle. (However, contrary to the musings of so-called fans on social media, Swiatek is neither "finished" nor "mediocre;" she is an elite player who lost a match to someone who outplayed her. Imagine that.)

Another huge upset, of course, was that of 2nd seed Elena Rybakina, who played what will undoubtedly be one of the matches (if not the match) of the year against Anna Blinkova, the talented Russian who has stayed under the radar for some time. Blinkova won their third set tiebreak 22-20, in the longest tiebreak ever played at a major. I thought that she might be too mentally spent to win her third round match, but I was wrong--she appeared physically spent. And--she had to go against the constantly improving Jasmine Paolini, who is putting Italy on the tennis map again.

Speaking of under the radar--Wang Yafan has quietly made improvements to her game, and she gave the Chinese number 1 Zheng Qinwen a real run in a high quality third round match, which Zheng did win, 6-4, 2-6, 7-6 (8). 

Amanda Anisimova, who took nine months off from the tour, is making quite a comeback statement in Melbourne. Anisimova has already defeated 13th seed Liudmila Samsonova and former world number 2 Paula Badosa (also making a comeback). Her next task is to take on defending champion and 2nd seed Aryna Sabalenka. 

Russian players (seems like old times) are making a big statement in Melbourne, too. Anna Kalinskaya is into the round of 16 after defeating Sloane Stephens, and two young, very promising players--Mirra Andreeva and Maria Timofeeva--are also into the fourth round. Andreeva has already upset 6th seed Ons Jabeur (allowing her only two games), as well as winning a third round match in which she was down 1-5 in the third set. Timofeeva has overcome a trio of formidable opponents--Alize Cornet, former champion Caroline Wozniacki and 10th seed Beatriz Haddad Maia.

Barbora Krejcikova, still working on her consistency since she was taken off the tour by injury, is still in the draw, as is the scary new version of Elina Svitolina. And of special interest: two-time champion Vika Azarenka, who defeated an in-form Alona Ostapenko in straight sets in the third round, is into the round of 16.

I could go on and on, but here is the really fascinating round of 16 draw:

Linda Noskova vs. Elina Svitolina (19)
Victoria Azarenka (19) vs. Dayana Yastremska (Q)
Jasmine Paolini (26) vs. Anna Kalinskaya
Zheng Qinwen (12) vs. Oceane Dodin
Marta Kostyuk vs. Maria Timofeeva (Q)
Magdalena Frech vs. Coco Gauff (4)
Mirra Andreeva vs. Barbora Krejcikova (9)
Amanda Anisimova vs. Aryna Sabalenka (2)