Australian Open 2021: “Didn’t feel like I had many options” – Iga Swiatek reflects after her defeat against Simona Halep

Australian Open 2021: “Didn’t feel like I had many options” – Iga Swiatek reflects after her defeat against Simona Halep

Simona Halep vs Iga Swiatek

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Iga Swiatek

Polish tennis star Iga Swiatek had been in imperious form in the Australian Open 2021 till the fourth round but she went down against second seed Simona Halep in the fourth round. Swiatek had spoken about the match ahead and stated that it would be difficult to replicate her win against the same opponent in the French Open last year but stated that she had nothing to lose and would come all guns blazing.

Swiatek pulled off one of the surprises of the French Open last year when she eased past Halep in the fourth round. The Romanian had been in red-hot form having won 17 games in a row before their meeting and was even the prime favourite to win the title. However, she was stunned by a flawless performance from Swiatek with a scoreline of 6-1, 6-2.

Swiatek was however, not able to replicate the same although she did come out all guns blazing. She ultimately went down after winning the first set.

‘I have a lot of respect’ – Iga Swiatek

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Iga Swiatek

In the post-match interview, Swiatek talked about her opponent and how her class shone through. “I have a lot of respect because it seems she has a lot of options. When something is not right for her she just changes the tactics and that’s great,” said Swiatek in the interview.

She further explained as to how Halep was able to change her tactics easily if things weren’t going her way. She also admitted that she missed that quality. “That’s the difference between the champions and less-experienced players, b/c I didn’t feel like I had many options,” added Swiatek.

Simona Halep will face Serena Williams in the quarter-final.

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