Iga Swiatek is once again in spectacular form. Last year it was the record 37 match winning streak. Now she’s at it again, terrorizing and dominating the WTA Tour.
In Dubai, Iga just annihilated Ludmila Samsonova 60 61 to reach the quarterfinals. Her first Dubai match was a 61 61 trouncing of Leylah Fernandez. That’s five match wins in a row in devastating fashion over elite players by the 21 year old world no. 1.
Last week in Doha, Iga beat WTA no. 42 Danielle Collins 60 61, WTA no. 11 Veronika Kudermetova 60 61, Belinda Bencic by walkover and in the final vs WTA no. 4 Jess Pegula, the Polish powerhouse prevailed 63 60.
The only losses this year for Iga were at United Cup to Pegula 26 26 and at AO to eventual champion Elena Rybakina 46 46 in the round of 16.
The most powerful woman in the WTA and winner of 12 WTA singles titles and over $15m in prize money is currently endorsed by PZU, ASICS, Tecnifibre, Rolex and Xiaomi.
Asics · Iga Swiatek · Poland · Roland Garros · Technifibre
catherine · February 25, 2023 at 12:24 pm
Rampage ended in Dubai to The Other Czech whose name I can’t spell. Swiatek seemed to have a cold but Barbora took full advantage and did the job in SS. I think she has ambitions to be more than just a doubles player now. Her strategy is to take the ball early from Iga and I’m sure she’ll continue that whatever the surface.
catherine · February 25, 2023 at 1:30 pm
Let’s not forget Barbora was coached in her early years by Jana Novotna. Perhaps it shows in the smoothness of her strokes.
Scoop Malinowski · February 25, 2023 at 3:56 pm
Priceless coaching advantage for Krejcikova, but she was bold enough to seek out Novotna who obliged the ambitious youngster. Beautiful story.
Scoop Malinowski · February 25, 2023 at 3:59 pm
Catherine, Krejcikova is a singles Grand Slam champ already too. She’s no doubles specialist like her partner Siniakova, who actually was the better and higher ranked singles player at one time, just a few years ago. But suddenly Krejcikova exploded in April of I think 2018 or 2019 in Tampa ITF got the roll started. I saw her win the title in Tampa live.
catherine · February 26, 2023 at 7:04 am
Beat Swiatek ? Be a masochist:
“When you play with Iga, you have to suffer, otherwise you’re not going to win because she’s everywhere. She plays great shots. She likes to play long rallies. So you have to suffer. I don’t mind that.”
B Krejcikova
Scoop Malinowski · February 26, 2023 at 8:18 am
Krejcikova is emerging now a big star of WTA and her habit of spending time watching a lot of WTA matches in the crowd with fans is getting her a lot of positive exposure. It sends a much needed very positive message for the WTA product. Even the players like to watch each other compete. More WTA players should do it, for be forced to do it. Krejcikova is also proving she might be the Iga’s kryptonite.
catherine · February 26, 2023 at 8:56 am
Looks like Emma might have to scrub this year – she’s withdrawn from Austin with tonsillitis. No, I don’t think she’s making it up. Tonsillitis when you’re an adult can be serious. I hope she goes home to recover.
Scoop Malinowski · February 26, 2023 at 10:34 am
slight chance she really has tonsillitis. Maybe got a fee for saying she would play Austin, to help sell tickets?
Scoop Malinowski · February 26, 2023 at 8:26 pm
Alcaraz looked like a top 15 player vs Norrie in the final. Good final, nice ending, surprised Norrie tried to steal that line winner by Carlos at 55 deuce. In other news, Brooksby has parted ways with long time coach Joe Gilbert, who he was guided by since age 7. He’s looking for a new coach now. Brooksby has a wrist problem. He just flew from Miami to LA yesterday, doing physical training on beach with a new fitness coach.
catherine · February 27, 2023 at 7:32 am
I saw Giorgi bt Peterson to win Merida and felt the same I always feel watching Camilla. Could she have been better with better coaching/support ? Or did she reach her natural peak ?
Some of her shots reminded me of Swiatek – some belonged in a public park.
Apparently she had a sister who died but I don’t know the story of that.
Scoop Malinowski · February 27, 2023 at 8:13 am
Catherine, I have inside info Giorgi’s ambitions and goals are not to win Grand Slams or be no. 1 or top 5. Her goal is to keep her ranking between 15 and 45 range, to not get too high ranked because that puts pressure on her to defend points. I was shocked to hear this too but the source is 100 percent reliable legit. Giorgi shows flashes of genius, to double bagel Stephens is an astounding result.