For Iga Świątek, a Sunday meeting for the inauguration WTA Finals in Riyadh was the first since US Open. A lot happened during the break from the game, because Wim Fissette became its coach. The Polish woman's beginning looked very bad, she was already losing 4:6, 0:3, but then she managed to regain a better condition. Ultimately, she defeated Barbora Krejcikova 4:6, 7:5, 6:2.
This is how the Czechs summed up the match Świątek – Krejcikova. One word dominates
-I managed to turn this one around gamedespite the swamp I was in. I missed it. I admit that I have only been training for the last month, so I have managed to wean myself from these emotions. I had a lot of thoughts in my head related to what was happening in Poland recently. I just knew I shouldn't think about it while playing. Even though I had a long break, I managed to regain concentration and not think about things that hurt me. I have to keep fighting and remember that I play for myself – Iga Świątek said after the match.
The Czech media cannot regret that their tennis player gave up such an advantage in the competition with the runner-up in the WTA ranking and – as they emphasize – the favorite of the WTA Finals. “Krejcikova was in excellent shape from the beginning of the first set. She already had Świątek on her back, but she ultimately lost,” emphasizes tn.nova.cz. “The promising lead was not enough” – this is the website isport.blesk.cz. “Krejcikova lost a well-played match,” we read on irozhlas.cz. “Krejcikova was aiming for a sensation, she destroyed the favorite. She was leading 6:4 and 3:0, and then she fell,” writes the angry portal sport.aktualne.cz.
– It wasn't my best tennis, but it was pretty solid. But I lost momentum in the match and I don't know if it was me or Iga. She improved, started playing more aggressively and hit the ball better. Unfortunately, that's how Iga is. Against her, you have to play two sets better than her – said Barbora Krejcikova herself, who will also face Jessica Pegula (on Tuesday) and Coco Gauff (on Thursday) in Riyadh. Promotion to semi-final The best two players from both groups will win the WTA Finals.