Barbora Krecjikova shows Iga Swiatek is vulnerable these days
Iga Swiatek's dominance on the Tour was nicely challenged by Barbora Krejcikova who took down the World No. 1 in straight-sets giving her a taste of her own medicine.
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Barbora Krejcikova and Iga Swiatek
This is turning out to be a roller-coaster year in many ways for women’s tennis on the WTA Tour. Proof of how it will be hard to predict outright results was seen once again as Barbora Krecjikova rode on a hot streak to dump numero uno Iga Swiatek 6-4, 6-2 in the Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships on Saturday night.
This was a WTA 1000 event and ranking points count in it, plus the prize money. It was sensational to witness Barbora pull off one big result after another. She produced a form of the past in 2023 February, as she rocked Iga, the Polish superstar, for her first title of the season. After all, it was on February 28, 2022, Barbora had touched World No.2 ranking.
Barbora, from the Czech Republic, a country which has produced tennis legends since long, Martina Navratilova included, showed she was not going to be swayed by the reputations of big players. To win one big match is kind of acceptable but what Barbora did was stupendous. The victim’s list included Jessica Pegula in the quarter-finals, Aryna Sabalenka in the semi-finals, and Swiatek in the big final.
To achieve such results is big, kicking the big players. This was something that had been done by legends like Steffi Graf and Serena Williams during their heydays, beating three top guns in a row. By her own admission, Barbora said this was her hottest streak. To beat Iga, the World No.1 twice, is no mean achievement.
“I think I showed my best tennis this week. I’m really happy with the way how I played, how I was able to play my tennis but also hold the nerves, just enjoy everything that was happening during this week on the court,” said Barbora at the post-match press conference.
Barbora Krejcikova picking form at the right time
Many thought, the Czech, now in her mid-20s, was past prime. However, this big win should rejig the pecking order in terms of players who can produce the big stuff. Iga will stay perched at the top of the WTA rankings but will be concerned about her own vulnerability as well. Barbora is a former World No.2 but to string together wins like this in one week is not freakish.
“I’m really happy with the way how I played, how I was able to play my tennis but also hold the nerves, just enjoy everything that was happening during this week on the court,” added the Czech. The way Iga has performed in 2023 is not outstanding. really. Before the Australian Open, at the United Cup, Iga lost to Jessica Pegula in the semi-finals. Then came the big blow at the 2023 Australian Open when Elena Rybakina blew away Iga Swiatek.
In the Abu Dhabi final last week, Iga managed to beat Pegula. This kind of up-and-down form will worry Iga Swiatek. Last year, she had begun the season on a roll. Her wins were big and her winning streak had eclipsed former champion Martina Hingis‘ record of winning 37 matches in a row. Then came the loss, before Wimbledon.
It helped, in the sense, Iga was not becoming monotonous and winning all titles. Yet, at the US Open, Iga Swiatek again peaked and clinched the title. 2023 has seen plenty of surprise results, with winner Aryna Sabalenka and runner-up Rybakina catching the eye. For those who thought Swiatek had that veneer of being unbeatable, she looks normal now. Obviously, people have decoded her game, though she is still top-class.
From a macro view, women’s tennis looks more sturdy and robust in 2023. The tennis season will move to Europe in the summer and then the clay season will begin. It will climax at the French Open. For all those who feel making predictions will be easy and Iga will be a runaway winner, please watch out for the others. The list of girls ready to change the script is now increasing.
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S Kannan
(382 Articles Published)