Iga Swiatek hits a return during the women's singles 3rd round match between Iga Swiatek of Poland and Anna Kalinskaya of Russia at the Australian Open tennis tournament in Melbourne, Australia, Jan. 24, 2026. (Photo by Wang Shen/Xinhua)

MELBOURNE, Jan. 24 (Xinhua) -- World number two Iga Swiatek overcame a second set catastrophe on Saturday to beat 31st seed Anna Kalinskaya in the Australian Open third round.

In the night session at Rod Laver Arena, the six-time grand slam champion endured a patchy performance in her 6-1,1-6, 6-1 victory in one hour and 44 minutes.

Swiatek has not found a consistent level at Melbourne Park, having started her quest for an elusive Australian Open title with a battling win over Chinese qualifier Yuan Yue.

The Pole steamrolled through the opening set in just 34 minutes before the match stunningly flipped with Kalinskaya dominating her increasingly flustered opponent.

But the momentum shifts continued as Swiatek booked a clash with Australian qualifier Maddison Inglis in the next step in her bid to complete a career slate of major titles.

Inglis reached the last 16 after four-time major winner Naomi Osaka withdrew from the tournament due to injury. ■

Iga Swiatek celebrates winning the women's singles 3rd round match between Iga Swiatek of Poland and Anna Kalinskaya of Russia at the Australian Open tennis tournament in Melbourne, Australia, Jan. 24, 2026. (Photo by Wang Shen/Xinhua)

Anna Kalinskaya hits a return during the women's singles 3rd round match between Iga Swiatek of Poland and Anna Kalinskaya of Russia at the Australian Open tennis tournament in Melbourne, Australia, Jan. 24, 2026. (Photo by Wang Shen/Xinhua)

Anna Kalinskaya reacts during the women's singles 3rd round match between Iga Swiatek of Poland and Anna Kalinskaya of Russia at the Australian Open tennis tournament in Melbourne, Australia, Jan. 24, 2026. (Photo by Wang Shen/Xinhua)

Anna Kalinskaya hits a return during the women's singles 3rd round match between Iga Swiatek of Poland and Anna Kalinskaya of Russia at the Australian Open tennis tournament in Melbourne, Australia, Jan. 24, 2026. (Photo by Wang Shen/Xinhua)

Iga Swiatek hits a return during the women's singles 3rd round match between Iga Swiatek of Poland and Anna Kalinskaya of Russia at the Australian Open tennis tournament in Melbourne, Australia, Jan. 24, 2026. (Photo by Wang Shen/Xinhua)

Anna Kalinskaya hits a return during the women's singles 3rd round match between Iga Swiatek of Poland and Anna Kalinskaya of Russia at the Australian Open tennis tournament in Melbourne, Australia, Jan. 24, 2026. (Photo by Wang Shen/Xinhua)