AFTER capturing her fourth French Open title in five years, Iga Swiatek extended her winning streak to 20 matches by defeating Sofia Kenin 6-3, 6-4 in the first round of Wimbledon on Tuesday (2/7).
Swiatek’s match wins include titles in Madrid, Rome and Paris, as well as 44 matches overall this year, the most of any woman.
“It was a solid start and it wasn’t an easy match. So, I’m happy to have the opportunity to play another match here,” said Swiatek, as broadcast by WTA, Wednesday (3/7).
“It’s not easy to face a Grand Slam champion in the first round, so I have to be ready for everything.”
“They are experienced players, so there was no time to take this tournament. I’m happy to do it today,” added the 23-year-old Pole.
Swiatek is 18-0 in first-round matches at Grand Slam tournaments and has amassed 72 Grand Slam singles wins, the most of any woman. She has also won five straight matches against former major champions.
Read also: Svitolina Surprises Swiatek, Advances to Wimbledon Semifinals
In the first round of Wimbledon this time, Kenin did not have too many powerful weapons, and Swiatek was able to gauge the speed on the grass and adjust to the match.
For the match, Swiatek had three service breaks, the most critical of which came in the seventh game of the second set. On serve, she won 41 of 57 points and served six aces.
It’s a bright start for Swiatek, whose grass-court record improves to 14-7 and 10-4 at Wimbledon.
Swiatek has the chance to become the youngest player since Serena Williams (2002) to win Roland Garros and Wimbledon in the same season, and the first to win back-to-back Grand Slams since Williams in 2015. (Ant/Z-1)
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