Iga Swiatek matches Justine Henin’s 16-year-old record as she drops the fewest games to reach the title decider at the 2023 WTA Finals

Iga Swiatek dopped only 19 games en route to her final qualification.

Iga Swiatek matches Justine Henin’s 16-year-old record as she drops the fewest games to reach the title decider at the 2023 WTA Finals

Iga Swiatek, Justine Henin (Images via Eurosport, Tennis World USA)

Polish tennis ace Iga Swiatek has been showing her authority and dominance ever since she made a comeback after an early exit at the 2023 US Open and failing to defend her title. Swiatek made the quarterfinals at the Tokyo Open and then won the China Open. And now the Pole ace has made it to the finals of the 2023 WTA Finals and that too by dropping the fewest games.

Swiatek dropped only 19 games en route to her final qualification in Cancun. With this, she also matched Justine Henin’s 16-year-old record for the same feat. Notably, Henin had also dropped only 19 games when she reached the final in the 2007 WTA Finals. The Belgian had also won the title.

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Swiatek also looks to recreate the feat as she readies herself to face Jessica Pegula in the ultimate showdown. The World No.2 beat her nemesis Aryna Sabalenka in straight sets (6-3, 6-2) in the rain-marred semifinals. Swiatek extended her lead over Sabalenka to 6-3 in the head-to-head record between the two players. Also, she registered her maiden victory against the Belarusian at the WTA Finals, in her third attempt.

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She also became the first Polish female player since the WTA Rankings were published in 1975 to defeat the World No. 1 in straight sets (retirements excluded).

Iga Swiatek focused on the final against Jessica Pegula and not the year-end No.1

Along with the elusive WTA Finals trophy, Iga Swiatek has one more big reward waiting for her if she crosses the final hurdle against Jessica Pegula. The 22-year-old Pole beats Pegula and wins the title in Cancun, she will pip Aryna Sabalenka to become the new World No.1 and can finish the season as the year-end No.1 for a second consecutive year.

Iga Swiatek US Open
Iga Swiatek (Image via US Open)

However, Iga Swiatek is not thinking about something that is too far. The Pole is focused on her match against Pegula and wants to win the trophy first. Swiatek said that she wants to do the right things leading into the final clash. 

I feel like it’s still a long way away because I feel like tomorrow’s match will be the toughest one. We can talk about it tomorrow after the match. I’m just going to continue doing what I’ve been doing in [recent] days. I can’t truly tell you the keys for tomorrow. I’m going to work on that tonight.
Iga Swiatek said after the win against Aryna Sabalenka when asked about year-end No.1.

It is going to be a thrilling contest for the title between Pegula and Swiatek. While Swiatek is coming into the game by dropping the fewest games, the American has been undefeated so far in the tournament. Pegula won all of her group-stage games before toppling Coco Gauff in the semis.

If she manages to beat Swiatek, the Pole’s dream to finish as the year-end No.1 will be crushed as Sabalenka will finish at the top. But if Swiatek does, she will become the 6th youngest player since the WTA Rankings were published in 1975 to finish consecutive seasons at No.1.

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