WATCH: Iga Swiatek breaks down in tears after securing the China Open title as she wins her first WTA-1000 title after more than a year

Iga Swiatek won her 16th career title at Beijing.

WATCH: Iga Swiatek breaks down in tears after securing the China Open title as she wins her first WTA-1000 title after more than a year

Iga Swiatek's team, Iga Swiatek(Images via: X/@TheTennisLetter)

World No.2, Iga Swiatek won the title in Beijing at the recently concluded China Open, ousting Russian tennis star, Liudmila Samsonova. In a match that lasted 69 minutes, Swiatek defeated Samsonova, scoring 6-2, 6-2 in straight sets. The 22-year-old was seen shedding tears immediately after her winning shot as she went over to her teammates.

The victory in China marked Swiatek’s sixth WTA-1000 title win and the first one this season. With her recent win, the French Open Champ joined Serena Williams to become only the second player to claim five or more titles in two consecutive years. In her semi-final round match, Swiatek demolished US Open winner, Coco Gauff in a two-setter. In a thrilling encounter, the Pole beat Gauff for the 8th time, winning the match with a score of 6-2, 6-3.

YouTube video

Following her win, Swiatek held her face in her hands in disbelief as she took her time to absorb her win. She then proceeded to shake hands with her opponent, Samsonova, and the chair umpire before rushing back to her team. Swiatek was seen breaking down in tears as her team greeted the player with warm hugs.

FS Video

Seeded at No.1, the 22-year-old made a surprising fourth-round exit at the US Open last month where she lost to 20th seed, Jelena Ostapenko. In her next tournament at the WTA-500 event in Tokyo, Swiatek lost to the eighth seed and eventual title-winner, Veronika Kudermetova. Her early exits led people to criticize the Pole over her dip in performance. With her latest win, however, Swiatek has proved her stronghold on the game of tennis and has proved her dominance at the game.

Also Read: Andy Murray takes a dig at his own culinary skills as he takes up a ‘meal swap’ challenge in Shanghai

Coco Gauff defends Iga Swiatek over criticism of her performance

World No.3, Coco Gauff clashed with the former World No.1, Iga Swiatek at the semi-finals at the China Open. Swiatek demolished the teenager to win the match in straight sets. Their recent face-off marked the first time the two clashed with each other following their thrilling encounter at the semi-finals in Cincinnati.

Coco Gauff and Iga Swiatek
Coco Gauff and Iga Swiatek(Image via: CNN)

After Iga’s early exit from the US Open, she lost her spot as No.1, and with this came all the hate from the fans. They are commenting on the pole that she hasn’t had a good season and is not in her best form. To this, Coco Gauff said, “I mean, I’ve seen some of the comments people are saying like she had not a good season. I mean, she won a Grand Slam & was #1 forever. I’m like, I would dream to have the season like she had this year,” as she backed the 22-year-old.

In case you missed: