Iga Sviatek was unexpectedly eliminated in the 1/8 finals of the WTA 1000 tournament in Cincinnati, the world leader was defeated in two sets by the American Madison Keys.

Iga SvyatekPhoto: Dave Shopland / Shutterstock Editorial / Profimedia

Keys, ranked 24th in the world, took full advantage of Sviatek’s slump (she has lost three of her last seven matches) and won after an hour and 24 minutes of play, 6-3, 6-4.

Svyatek saved a match point at 0-5 (30-40) in the second set, another at 3-5, but was unable to level at 5 (he lost serve again).

Madison will face Olena Rybakina (25 WTA) in the next round of the American competition after the 2022 Wimbledon champion beat Alison Riske (29 WTA) 6-2, 6-4.

Annette Kontaveit, the second favorite, is eliminated in the 1/8 finals of the WTA in Cincinnati

Also on Thursday, Annette Kontaveit (2nd seed) was defeated by Shuai Zhang (44 WTA) 2-6, 6-4, 6-4 after two hours of play.

In the next round, the athlete from China will play the winner of the match between Aryna Sabalenko (7 WTA, favorite 6) and Shelby Rogers (30 WTA).

The Western & Southern Open is the last tournament before the US Open 2022

A WTA 1000 category competition, the tournament will be held on hard from August 15 to 21, 2022. Its total prize money is $2,527,250 and there are 64 players at the start of the main draw. The reigning champion is Ashley Barty (now retired), who won the title last year.