Five biggest WTA Tour upsets of 2024

The 2024 tennis season has been marked by some of the most unexpected upsets in recent memory. Dominant players, including reigning champions and top-ranked stars, fell victim to fierce competitors in matches that left fans stunned. But which were the five biggest WTA Tour upsets of 2024?

Five biggest WTA Tour upsets of 2024

1. Yulia Putintseva stuns Iga Swiatek at Wimbledon (Third Round)

Yulia Putintseva delivered a stunning upset over top seed Iga Swiatek in the third round of Wimbledon, winning 3-6 6-1 6-2. Swiatek, who came into the match with a 21-match winning streak, struggled with 38 unforced errors, while Putintseva kept her composure with just 15.

This victory marked Putintseva’s first career win over Swiatek, propelling her into the fourth round of a Grand Slam for the first time since the 2020 US Open. On the other hand, Swiatek was still left in search of her first Wimbledon title. The Pole’s best result in SW19 to date is the quarterfinals in 2023.

2. Emma Navarro upsets Coco Gauff at the US Open (Fourth Round)

Emma Navarro’s upset over Coco Gauff in the fourth round of the US Open was a defining moment in her career. The match highlighted the contrasting performances of the players. While Gauff, the defending champion, struggled with consistency, racking up 19 double faults and 60 unforced errors, Navarro showcased composure and resilience.

Key moments of the match included Navarro’s ability to convert critical break points, taking four of her 12 opportunities, compared to Gauff’s two of five. In the third set, Gauff’s 11 double faults proved costly, allowing Navarro to capitalize and seal her victory with a scoreline of 6-3 4-6 6-3. This win eliminated Gauff and marked a significant career milestone for Navarro, boosting her into the Top 10 of the world rankings.

3. Zheng Qinwen shatters Iga Swiatek’s Clay-Court Dominance at the Paris Olympics

In a historic match at the Paris Olympics, China’s Zheng Qinwen defeated Iga Swiatek in the semifinals, halting the Pole’s remarkable 25-match clay-court winning streak. The scoreline of 6-2 7-5 reflected Zheng’s composure and tactical brilliance, marking her as the first Chinese player to reach an Olympic singles final.

Swiatek, a three-time defending French Open champion (and a four-time French Open champion after her triumph in June 2024), struggled with the humid conditions and accumulated 36 unforced errors. Despite her efforts to rally in the second set, Zheng broke serve at a critical moment to secure the win. This result denied Swiatek the chance to crown her exceptional career with an Olympic gold medal, though she managed to claim the bronze medal.

4. Linda Noskova Shocks Iga Swiatek at the Australian Open (Third Round)

Linda Noskova pulled off a stunning upset in the third round of the Australian Open, defeating world #1 Iga Swiatek 3-6 6-3 6-4. Although Swiatek started strong, Noskova’s explosive shot-making and aggressive baseline play turned the match in her favor. This was a massive shock in the draw, considering that Swiatek was most expected to win her first Grand Slam title down under. She came into this event after winning the WTA finals in late 2023.

Noskova hit ten aces and capitalized on Swiatek’s forehand errors, dominating points with her first serve, winning 73% of them. The Czech player’s composure under pressure helped her close out the match, securing one of the biggest wins of her career.

5. Coco Gauff Defeats Aryna Sabalenka at the WTA Finals (Semifinals)

Coco Gauff’s impressive victory over Aryna Sabalenka in the WTA Finals semifinals showcased her resilience and tactical prowess. After battling back from two break-downs in the first set, Gauff clinched it in a tiebreak 7-6(4) and followed it up with a solid 6-3 performance in the second set.

This win was a shock in the WTA spectrum, considering the second half of the season Sabalenka was going through. The Belarusian came into this semifinal match after securing the year-end world #1 ranking. Moreover, she had won titles in Cincinnati, the US Open, and the Wuhan Open. However, Gauff didn’t read the script as she ended her season on a good note by beating Sabalenka and eventually securing the WTA title after edging Zheng Qinwen in the final.