Reuters
Tennis – Australian Open – Melbourne Park, Melbourne, Australia – January 24, 2022 Poland’s Iga Swiatek celebrates winning her fourth round match against Romania’s Sorana Cirstea REUTERS/Asanka Brendon Ratnayake
Reuters
Tennis – Australian Open – Melbourne Park, Melbourne, Australia – January 24, 2022 Poland’s Iga Swiatek celebrates winning her fourth round match against Romania’s Sorana Cirstea REUTERS/Asanka Brendon Ratnayake
Iga Swiatek is on a fairytale run in 2022. The Polish tennis star extended her winning streak this season to 28 matches after defeating Ons Jabeur to win the Italian Open title. Moreover, it was her fifth title this season. It was an incredible journey for Swiatek in Rome, winning the title without dropping a set. After her finals victory, Swiatek was all praise for Jabeur.
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Iga Swiatek lauds Ons Jabeur
The two players embraced in a warm hug after their summit clash. Talking about Jabeur during the post-match interview, Swiatek said, “She told me not to cry. I told her, ‘But your dropshots killed me.’ Ons is really nice. She’s giving that positive vibe on tour, so that’s cool.”
Swiatek: “She told me not to cry. I told her, 'But your dropshots killed me.’"
"Ons is really nice. She's giving that positive vibe on tour, so that's cool.”#ibi22 https://t.co/hd7CEColRX
— WTA Insider (@WTA_insider) May 15, 2022
At 20, Swiatek has already become a player to beat this season. In a dominating victory over her Tunisian opponent, Swiatek breezed past Jabeur 6-2, 6-2 in an hour and 22 minutes. Further, the World Number 1 began the match convincingly, breaking Jabeur’s serve in the second game of the opening set. Subsequently, Swiatek broke her serve again in the eighth game to take the first set 6-2.
USA Today via Reuters
Mar 20, 2022; Indian Wells, CA, USA; Iga Swiatek (ITA) holds the championship trophy after defeating Maria Sakkari (GRE) in the women’s final against at the BNP Paribas Open at the Indian Wells Tennis Garden. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports
The second set began on a similar note, with Swiatek racing to a 4-0 lead. However, Jabeur showed glimpses of a comeback, breaking Swiatek’s serve in the fifth game of the second set. At 5-2, Jabeur lost serve to hand Swiatek her fifth title this season.
Swiatek breaks Serena Williams’ 27-match unbeaten streak
By winning the Italian Open final, Swiatek broke Serena’s 27-match winning run during the 2014-15 season. Moreover, the Polish tennis ace has moved up to the fourth spot among the players with the most unbeaten matches on the WTA tour since 2000. The list is headed by Venus Williams, with her 35-match unbeaten streak coming in 2000. Subsequently, Venus is followed by Serena’s 34-match winning run in 2013 and Justine Henin’s unbeaten run of 32 matches in 2007-08.
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Further, Swiatek is among the favorites to win the French Open title this season. It won’t be a surprise if she wins in Paris, given her incredible run of form this year.
