Iga Swiatek of Poland plays a forehand return to Linda Noskova of the Czech Republic during their third round match at the Australian Open tennis championships at Melbourne Park, Melbourne, Australia, Jan 20, 2024. (PHOTO / AP)

MELBOURNE - World No 1 Iga Swiatek slumped to a third-round shock exit at the Australian Open on Saturday after losing to Linda Noskova in three sets, but men's second seed Carlos Alcaraz was dominant against ailing rising Chinese star Shang Juncheng.

Swiatek had not been able to find her best form at Melbourne Park as 19-year-old Noskova of the Czech Republic capitalized with a stunning 3-6, 6-3, 6-4 win in two hours and 20 minutes.

12th seed Zheng (Qinwen) lifted a level when it mattered most to prevail 6-4, 2-6, 7-6 (8) and reach the last 16 for the first time at the Australian Open. Expectations are rising for Zheng, who is the highest remaining seed left in her quarter after the shock exits of No 3 Elena Rybakina and No 5 Jessica Pegula

"I'm speechless”, said Noskova, who is making her debut at the Australian Open. "I knew it was going to be an amazing match, but I didn't really think it would end up like this”.

It ended Swiatek's 18-match winning streak and she will be made to wait to end her title drought in Melbourne.

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China's top-ranked player Zheng Qinwen defeated compatriot Wang Yafan in a match decided by a thrilling 10-point tiebreak. 12th seed Zheng lifted a level when it mattered most to prevail 6-4, 2-6, 7-6 (8) and reach the last 16 for the first time at the Australian Open.

Expectations are rising for Zheng, who is the highest remaining seed left in her quarter after the shock exits of No 3 Elena Rybakina and No 5 Jessica Pegula.

Zheng will next face 95th-ranked Oceane Dodin as she eyes a maiden Grand Slam triumph.

READ MORE: Chinese players make historic achievement at Australian Open

Former Grand Slam champions Jelena Ostapenko and Sloane Stephens were both eliminated.

In the men's draw, two-time Grand Slam winner Alcaraz was in control before 18-year-old Shang was forced to retire due to a leg injury while trailing 6-1, 6-1, 1-0.

Alcaraz, who missed last year's tournament due to injury, reached the fourth round in Melbourne for the first time as he eyes ending No 1 Novak Djokovic's stranglehold of the event.

China's Shang Juncheng serves against Spain's Carlos Alcaraz during their men's singles match on day seven of the Australian Open tennis tournament in Melbourne on Jan 20, 2024. (PHOTO / AFP)

He next faces world No 60 Miomir Kecmanovic, who upset 14th-seeded American Tommy Paul in a five-set thriller.

"I'm feeling great”, Alcaraz said. "It's a high note. But that's how I feel. I think I'm improving every day. Every match that I'm playing, I'm feeling better and better.

"I'm getting used to this court as well. I didn't play so much on this court. I am taking good things from the court, from the level that I'm playing”.

It was a sad ending for Shang, who came into the match carrying a niggle to his leg. He called for medical assistance late in the second set before pulling the pin to end his tournament.

READ MORE: Sabalenka, Sinner lead charge into second week in Melbourne

But the left-handed Shang has announced himself as a rising star after comeback victories over American Mackenzie McDonald and India's Sumit Nagal.

Impressively backing up from his 3:40 a.m. local time finish two nights ago against Emil Ruusuvuori, third seed Daniil Medvedev comfortably beat 27th seed Felix Auger-Aliassime 6-3, 6-4, 6-3.

"It was tough for me, especially after the last match I had”, Medvedev said. "It felt tough when I ran. I wasn't feeling 100 percent but I tried my best”.

Defending champions Djokovic and Aryna Sabalenka will highlight fourth-round action on Sunday.