As she closes in, on becoming WTA No. 1, Iga Swiatek had an impressive run at both Indian Wells and the Miami Open. Earlier, she defeated Jessica Pegula of the United States in the semi-final to reach the final of the Miami Open. Now, she will face the four-time Grand Slam champion Naomi Osaka in the final. Previously, the Polish player faced Osaka once before at the Canadian Masters, where the Japanese player won comfortably. Before the final match, Iga talked about that match-up with Naomi and what has changed.

Iga Swiatek talks about playing Naomi Osaka at the Miami Open final

2020 French Open champion,?Iga Swiatek, has been in tremendous form after winning back-to-back titles at both Qatar and Indian Wells. Now, she is on the verge of winning three consecutive titles, as she will play the Miami Open final against?Osaka?today. The last time she faced Osaka was in 2019, at the Canadian Masters when the Japanese player was truly a superstar.?

Speaking about their previous match-up, Swiatek said,??Well, for sure it changed because I just, I don’t know, right now I’m also dealing with some kind of popularity. For sure Naomi is more popular, but back then I felt like she’s this kind of, you know, person, she’s like really the business side of her career is really like strong, so for me was like a new experience seeing that kind of player.?

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?Because before I didn’t have a chance to even be around that kind of player, so right now it changed for sure because I have seen also other players getting that, and I’m getting that, so I can understand more. Actually, yeah, be in similar position,??the Polish player further added.?

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Notably, Swiatek felt star-struck after playing Osaka back in 2019. Since then, she has come a long way, as she already has a Grand Slam title to her name.?

Swiatek is eying the ?Sunshine Double?

Previously, only three women players have on the ‘Sunshine Double.’ Steffi Graf, Kim Clijsters, and Victoria Azarenka are the three names who won both Miami and Indian Wells and Steffi won it twice. If Iga wins the Miami Open today, she will join the prestigious list.?

However, the former world no.1 Naomi Osaka, could stand in her way, as she suddenly found her form back in Miami. She recently beat the Olympic gold medal winner Belinda Bencic in the semi-final by 4-6,6-3,6-4. However, irrespective of the result of today?s match, nobody will stop Swiatek from becoming the new world no.1.?

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Can Swiatek win the ?Sunshine Double?? Let us know in the comments.