Iga Świątek flew to Riyadh for the WTA Finals tournament after a long, almost two-month break from performances, during which she changed her coach. And so Wim Fissette replaced Tomasz Wiktorowski. The first common goal of the Belgian coach and our tennis player is extremely ambitious – an attempt to defend the title won a year ago in Cancun and fight to regain first place in the WTA ranking at the end of the season.
Unfortunately, in this second issue, Iga Świątek is not dependent on herself. It is enough for Aryna Sabalenka to record all group victories (she has won two out of two matches so far) and this will mean that she will remain at the top of the rankings. However, the Pole is doing her job and despite considerable problems, she won her first match on the courts in Saudi Arabia, defeating Czech Barbora Krejcikova in three sets (4:6, 7:5, 6:2).
– It wasn’t easy. I felt a bit rusty at first. But I’m glad I found my way to a more solid game. At first I didn’t feel well, and Barbora took advantage of that. But I knew that the result in the first set was close. And that I will still have my chances – she said just after her successful opening of the WTA Finals tournament happy Iga Świątek.
Tennis: Iga Świątek – Coco Gauff. WTA warns the Polish tennis player before the match
Today, Iga Świątek will face another difficult, and in theory even more demanding, match. Her rival will be the American Coco Gauff, who is in great shape, who won the tournament in Beijing before the WTA Finals and then reached the semi-finals in Wuhan, where she was stopped only by Aryna Sabalenka. Currently the third rocket in the world in Riyadh she started the competition by defeating her compatriot Jessica Pegula 6:3, 6:2. And now she will want to follow suit.
Iga Świątek has a very favorable balance of direct clashes with Coco Gauff. Of the 12 matches played so far, she won as many as 11. The Pole’s only defeat came in the semi-final match in Cincinnati last season. And even then, the American had to work a lot to finally beat our representative. She won the first set only after a tie-break, in the second set Iga Świątek had the upper hand, but in the third set she managed to dot the i’s and win 6:4.
The official WTA website referred to this statistic in its pre-match announcement, warning Iga Świątek not to take another easy win for granted.
Iga Świątek has not beaten anyone more often. Of course, this largely depends on age and career stage. Gauff is just over three years younger. When Świątek was her age, she only had one Grand Slam title to her name. But when they meet on Tuesday in a key match for the Orange Group at the WTA Finals, there are reasons to believe that the result will not automatically be favorable for Świątek.
~ writes WTA
– Returning after a two-month break and a coaching change, Swiatek struggled in her first match in Riyadh, losing the first set to Barbora Krejcikova and being broken twice early in the second before finally “finding the solution” with a rousing comeback in the third set. Gauff, on the other hand, is currently doing great. She won 10 of her last 11 matches, winning the title in Beijing and reaching the semi-finals in Wuhan.
Game Iga Świątek – Coco Gauff will start no earlier than 4 p.m. Polish time. At around 1:30 p.m., the other two players from the Orange Group should take to the court in Riyadh – Barbora Krejcikova and Jessica Pegula, who, after defeats in their first matches, were facing a challenge in their fight to advance to the semi-finals of the WTA Finals.
Iga Świątek/KARIM JAAFAR /AFP
Iga Świątek and Coco Gauff/THOMAS SAMSON / AFP/AFP
Dawid Olejniczak: Iga Świątek’s cooperation with the new coach does not have to last too long. VIDEO/Polsat Sport/Polsat Sport
Welcome to the Tennis Circus: Iga Świątek’s WTA Finals Journey!
Ah, Iga Świątek! The Polish wonder who has returned to the court after what feels like an eternity and a half, ready to tango with the best. She’s taken a two-month holiday, probably perfecting the art of the backhand while sipping piña coladas, and now she’s back in the game like a superhero donning their cape!
With a new coach in tow, Wim Fissette has replaced Tomasz Wiktorowski, and they have one goal: defend her title from Cancun. And if Iga’s like most of us post-holiday, she might need a bit of time to shake off the rust… perhaps in her case, some extra laps on the court!
But Hold Your Horses!
The WTA Finals are like the Hunger Games, and unfortunately for Iga, her destiny is not solely in her own hands. Aryna Sabalenka is out there winning matches like she’s at a carnival game, and all she has to do is keep scooping up those group victories to stay perched at the top of the rankings. Talk about pressure!
But Iga cruised through her first match, defeating Czech Barbora Krejcikova in three dramatic sets (4:6, 7:5, 6:2). That’s like going to your high school reunion and realizing you still have to dodge some awkward conversations!
After the match, a rather upbeat Świątek commented, “It wasn’t easy. I felt a bit rusty at first. But I’m glad I found my way to a more solid game.” Making it sound like she whipped out a magic wand to fix everything. Imagine if we could just wave our hands to fix our Monday blues!
Coming Up: The Great American Showdown
Later today, she faces off against America’s blonde bombshell, Coco Gauff! Now, Coco’s riding high after her grand performances, winning her previous match against Jessica Pegula 6:3, 6:2. Seriously, Gauff makes tennis look as easy as taking candy from a baby, and no one likes when you take candy from a baby, right? It’s not a fair fight!
However, let’s not forget that Iga has quite the advantage when it comes to their head-to-head record, boasting an impressive 11 wins out of 12 matches against Gauff. But she did drop the ball once—oh, the betrayal! So, on Tuesday, when they clash in a match that could feel like a battle scene straight out of Gladiator, we’re all left wondering if the ‘Italian Stallion’ can hold her own.
The Pressure Is On!
It’s crunch time for Świątek. The WTA has officially warned her that she shouldn’t take an easy win for granted—because let’s be honest, nothing about facing Gauff feels easy! Having won 10 out of her last 11 matches, Gauff is not about to roll over and hand Iga the championship trophy. It’s going to be a nail-biter, folks!
Watch the match starting no earlier than 4 p.m. Polish time. Meanwhile, Krejcikova and Pegula will want to prove their worth and say, “Hey! We’re not here just to fill up the stands!”
So get your popcorn ready, folks! This isn’t just a tennis match; it’s a battle of wills, endurance, and potentially some very dramatic play-by-play commentary from yours truly! Stay tuned, and let’s watch if Iga can channel her inner tennis god and secure a win against Gauff!
May the best player win, and remember: in tennis, love means nothing!
Iga Świątek arrived in Riyadh to compete in the prestigious WTA Finals tournament, marking her first performance in nearly two months after a significant break during which she made a pivotal change in her coaching staff. In a strategic move, the experienced Belgian coach Wim Fissette replaced Tomasz Wiktorowski. The ambitious duo now aims to defend the championship title that Świątek clinched last year in Cancun while also striving to reclaim the top position in the WTA rankings before the season concludes.
As Świątek pursues her goals, she faces an uphill battle, particularly in her quest for the No. 1 ranking, which hinges on Aryna Sabalenka’s performance. If Sabalenka wins all her matches in the group stage, she will securely maintain her lead in the rankings. Demonstrating her perseverance and talent, Świątek secured a victory in her opening match in Saudi Arabia, triumphing over Czech player Barbora Krejcikova after a challenging three-set battle, with the final scores reading 4:6, 7:5, 6:2.
“It wasn’t easy. I felt a bit rusty at first. But I’m glad I found my way to a more solid game,” expressed an elated Iga Świątek immediately following her hard-won initial match at the WTA Finals. “At first I didn’t feel well, and Barbora took advantage of that. But I knew that the result in the first set was close. And that I will still have my chances,” she added, reflecting on her comeback.
Today, Iga Świątek prepares for yet another formidable challenge, facing the rising American star Coco Gauff, who is currently in exceptional form. Gauff, who recently claimed victory at the tournament in Beijing and reached the semi-finals in Wuhan, where she was narrowly edged out by Aryna Sabalenka, won her opening match in Riyadh with an impressive score of 6:3, 6:2 against fellow American Jessica Pegula. Now, she aims to continue her winning streak.
Iga Świątek boasts an impressive head-to-head record against Coco Gauff, winning 11 out of their 12 encounters. Their only meeting that ended in defeat for Świątek occurred during the semi-finals in Cincinnati last year, a hard-fought match where Gauff triumphed after a tiebreak in the first set. The WTA published this statistic, cautioning Świątek not to underestimate her opponent and to remain focused.
The WTA’s pre-match analysis noted that Świątek has not faced a competitor as frequently as she has Gauff. While this is influenced by both players’ ages and stages of their careers—Gauff being just over three years younger—it signifies the depth of their rivalry. When Świątek was at a similar age as Gauff, she had secured just one Grand Slam title. As they prepare to clash in a key match for the Orange Group at the WTA Finals, the outcome is uncertain.
– Returning after a two-month break and a coaching change, Świątek struggled in her first match in Riyadh, losing the first set to Barbora Krejcikova and being broken twice early in the second before finally “finding the solution” with a rousing comeback in the third set. Gauff, on the other hand, is currently doing great. She won 10 of her last 11 matches, winning the title in Beijing and reaching the semi-finals in Wuhan.
Game Iga Świątek – Coco Gauff will start no earlier than 4 p.m. Polish time. At around 1:30 p.m., the other two players from the Orange Group should take to the court in Riyadh – Barbora Krejcikova and Jessica Pegula, who, after defeats in their first matches, were facing a challenge in their fight to advance to the semi-finals of the WTA Finals.
Iga Świątek/KARIM JAAFAR /AFP
Iga Świątek and Coco Gauff/THOMAS SAMSON / AFP/AFP
Having triumphed in 11 out of their 12 encounters. However, that single defeat serves as a timely reminder that anything can happen on the court, especially given both players’ current form. With Gauff riding the wave of recent successes and Świątek aiming to shake off the cobwebs of her break, anticipation is high for their upcoming clash.
As they set to take the court later today, all eyes will be on Świątek to see how well she can adapt to her new coaching dynamics and the competitive environment of the WTA Finals. This match is about more than just individual glory; it’s about positioning herself for the rest of the tournament and possibly reclaiming her spot at the top of the rankings.
The tennis world is abuzz with excitement for what promises to be a strategic and exhilarating matchup. Will Świątek’s experience prevail, or will Gauff’s youthful exuberance and current form steal the spotlight? Whatever the outcome, fans are in for a treat—don’t miss the action starting at 4 p.m. Polish time!
