World No. 1 Iga Świątek faced a shocking defeat at Wimbledon on Saturday, losing in the third round to Kazakhstan’s Yulia Putintseva. The upset ended Świątek’s impressive 21-match winning streak, which included a dominant French Open victory and almost three months of undefeated play.

Świątek started strong, taking the first set 6-3, and seemed poised to continue her winning run. However, Putintseva, ranked 35th in the world, mounted an incredible comeback. She dropped only three games in the next two sets, securing a 3-6, 6-1, 6-2 victory over the top-seeded Pole.

After the match, Świątek acknowledged her mistakes in preparation for Wimbledon and the need for better management of her energy levels. “My tank of really pushing myself to the limits became suddenly empty,” she said, according to Reuters. “I was kind of surprised. But I know what I did wrong after Roland Garros. I didn’t really rest properly. I’m not going to make this mistake again.”

Świątek had skipped any warm-up tournaments on grass following her successful clay court season. She admitted that adapting from clay to grass has been challenging. “For me, going from this kind of tennis where I felt like I’m playing the best tennis in my life to another surface where I kind of struggle a little bit more, it’s not easy,” she added. She emphasized the importance of patience and accepting mistakes on grass.

In contrast, Putintseva has been in excellent form on grass, remaining undefeated in the season and winning her first grass court title in Birmingham last month. This victory marks her first appearance in the fourth round at Wimbledon.

Putintseva’s skill on grass became evident as she produced remarkable shots, including a precise backhand crosscourt passing shot and a delicate slice return winner to save set point in the first set. Despite losing the first set to Świątek’s powerful play, Putintseva dismantled Świątek’s game in the subsequent sets.

Świątek’s performance in the second and third sets was riddled with uncharacteristic unforced errors, totaling 38 compared to Putintseva’s 15. The Kazakh player’s consistency and determination shone through. “At some point, I was playing fearless,” Putintseva said post-match. “I was just, I can do it, I have to believe 100 percent, I have nothing to lose, just go for it. Also my coach told me, no matter which shot you’re doing, believe 100 percent and just follow.”

Putintseva will now face Jelena Ostapenko on Monday for a place in the quarterfinals.

In other matches, Novak Djokovic overcame a slow start to defeat Australia’s Alexei Popyrin 4-6, 6-3, 6-4, 7-6 (7-3). Djokovic’s resilience set him up for a fourth-round clash against Holger Rune.

Świątek’s early exit and Putintseva’s continued success add to the unfolding drama of this year’s Wimbledon, showcasing the unpredictability and excitement inherent in Grand Slam tennis.