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WTA: Iga Swiatek - what makes her what she lacks

At the moment Iga Swiatek probably only has one opponent who could be dangerous for her: boredom.

by Jens Huiber
last edit: May 16, 2022, 07:30 am

This forehand by Iga Swiatek has it all
© Getty Images
This forehand by Iga Swiatek has it all

Of course, it should not be forgotten to point out that Ons Jabeur did not go into the final meeting with Iga Swiatek in Rome at the height of their creativity. The Tunisian should have been eliminated in two sets against Maria Sakkari in the quarter-finals, as she could have against Daria Kasatkina in the semi-finals. But Jabeur made two comebacks par excellence and could hope for the second big coup within two weeks. In Madrid she had won her first WTA Masters 1000 tournament ever.

But Iga Swiatek was not at the start. And that currently seems to be the only way that at the end of an event the Polish woman's name is not engraved on the winner's trophy. At least on hard court and sand, on grass, the cards may be reshuffled in a few weeks. Perhaps.

Kerber closest to victory against Swiatek

Swiatek Ons gave Jabeur four games in the final at Foto Italico, just as many as Aryna Sabalenka in the semifinals. Swiatek had also won against the Belarusian 6: 2 and 6: 2 in the final in Stuttgart, against Naomi Osaka in the Miami final with 6: 4 and 6: 0. Maria Sakkari did best in the finals in Indian Wells - and she went down 4:6 and 1:6. The only player who really posed a threat to the world number one was Angelique Kerber in the round of 16 at Indian Wells. Swiatek even had to make up a break deficit in the third set. Since then, Swiatek has only lost a single set: against Ludmilla Samsonova in the semifinals in Stuttgart.

Where does this actually unbelievable superiority come from, which is expressed in a series of 28 match wins in a row? Probably a combination of head, legs and wrist. To the head: When Swiatek comes onto the court, she knows that she will win. And that if things don't go well, she has the means to turn a match. On the legs: Even when the pitch is being watered like it was on Sunday after the first act against Jabeur, Iga Swiatek shows impressive footwork. When the ball is in play anyway.

No competitor in sight

And then there is the nimble wrist, which not only helps with the forehand, but also with the kick serve from the advantage side to the outside. A safe bet against pretty much any opponent.

So everything good? When it comes to Swiatek, yes. Not so much when it comes to women's tennis. Because the grandstands were rather sparsely occupied for both semi-finals and the final. Not Swiatek's fault. But maybe the only thing the Pole is missing at the moment is a competitor with whom she fights close duels week in and week out.

by Jens Huiber

Monday
May 16, 2022, 01:45 pm
last edit: May 16, 2022, 07:30 am