Swiatek crashes out, Zheng through in Melbourne
World number one Iga Swiatek crashed out of the Australian Open at the hands of Czech teenager Linda Noskova in the third round on Saturday to further deplete an already weakened women's draw heading into the second week at Melbourne Park. While only three of the top 10 women's seeds remain, the main contenders for the men's title have all breezed into the fourth round with Carlos Alcaraz, Daniil Medvedev and Alexander Zverev joining the charge on day seven. Swiatek's bid for a maiden title at Melbourne Park was brought to an abrupt halt when 19-year-old Noskova became the first teenager to down the top seed since Amelie Mauresmo beat Lindsay Davenport in 1999. Noskova held her nerve after Swiatek had won the opening set, and on the big points in the third set, and only let emotions get the better of her after serving out for a 3-6 6-3 6-4 victory. "I think it was an unbelievable match for me," the world number 50 said. "Playing on such a court for a first time, playing with Iga for a second time, I really wanted to win this, so I'm just glad that I did it." Alcaraz earlier reached the fourth round for the first time when Chinese teenager Shang Junchen pulled up injured while trailing in their uneven contest 6-1 6-1 1-0. The second seed still had time to show off the skills that have already won him two Grand Slam titles and gave himself a decent rating out of 10. "I'm feeling great. Probably seven, eight," said the 20-year-old. "It's a high score, but that's how I feel. Every match that I'm playing, I'm feeling better and better." While Shang fell short in his bid to become the first Chinese man to reach the fourth round of a Grand Slam since 1938, the country will have a presence in the second week after Zheng Qinwen beat compatriot Wang Yafan 6-4 2-6 7-6(8). The 21-year-old received a surprise visit after the match from compatriot Li Na, who was the first Chinese player to win a Grand Slam and triumphed at Melbourne Park in 2014. "I watched that final 10 times," said the 12th seed. "She said, 'Don't think too much, just keep it simple'. I think that's what I need to do right now." Zheng next plays Oceane Dodin after she prevailed in an all-French duel with Clara Burel 6-2 6-4. (Reuters)