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This Week in Tennis: Swiatek Ends Her Drought, Djokovic Hits a Wall

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The Djokovic Cincinnati health scare was the story of the week — but Toronto crowned a champion who badly needed one first.

Iga Swiatek’s 2026 season had been defined by near-misses until Thursday night at Sobeys Stadium. The seventh seed capped a stellar run in Toronto with a dominant 6-2, 6-3 win over World No. 2 Elena Rybakina in just 75 minutes to claim her first title of the season. It wasn’t just her first title of the year — it was a career sweep of North America’s major hard-court tournaments at just 25, and her twelfth WTA 1000 crown, moving her past Aryna Sabalenka (11) for the second-most since the format debuted in 2009, trailing only Serena Williams (13).

Djokovic Cincinnati health scare

Swiatek Completes the North American Sweep

The path there told its own story. Swiatek worked through Sara Bejlek, Viktorija Golubic, Marta Kostyuk, Diana Shnaider and Elina Svitolina en route to the final, picking up three Top 20 wins along the way — the first time she’d done that at a single event since her 2024 Roland Garros title run. See the full Toronto draw and results on the WTA’s official site. The final itself was a formality once it started: she broke immediately, held throughout the first set, and broke again late to close it out 6-2, never facing a break point of her own until midway through the second. Rybakina had one push left — she steadied to lead 2-1 in the second set, but Swiatek won five of the last six games, saving off a match point Rybakina forced before finally converting.

What made it notable beyond the trophy: Swiatek arrived in Toronto having not reached a single final all season. Her own read on it afterward was blunt rather than triumphant — she admitted the season had been bumpy and that she’d sometimes been impatient chasing results before her game caught up to her intentions.

On the men’s side, the tournament’s Montreal leg produced a smaller but still meaningful piece of history. Ben Shelton defended his title, becoming the first men’s player to repeat as National Bank Open champion since Rafael Nadal in 2019. He did it without dropping a set the entire week and closed out the final striking the ball at 230 kilometres per hour without surrendering a single break-point chance, in a match that lasted just one hour twenty-seven minutes against fellow American Brandon Nakashima. Full men’s draw results are on the ATP Tour site.

The Withdrawal That Set Up the Djokovic Cincinnati Health Scare

Montreal was always going to be diminished at the top. Back on July 24, World No. 1 Jannik Sinner and 24-time Grand Slam champion Novak Djokovic both withdrew from the National Bank Open, a decision both players attributed to workload management amid a hectic schedule, prioritizing their health ahead of the US Open. Carlos Alcaraz was already off the entry list entirely, still recovering from a right wrist injury that had forced him to miss the French Open and Wimbledon. Tournament director Valerie Tetreault didn’t hide her frustration, noting the event was disappointed to lose both men especially after they’d also skipped last year’s tournament in Toronto.

That withdrawal reads differently in hindsight. Djokovic wasn’t managing a minor niggle to peak for Cincinnati and New York — he was managing something that would catch up with him within three weeks anyway.

The Djokovic Cincinnati Health Scare, Explained

Djokovic arrived in Ohio returning to the Cincinnati Open for the first time in three years, looking to take advantage of the absences of Alcaraz and Sinner, and on paper the draw broke kindly for him. It didn’t play out that way.

He survived round one the hard way, needing three tiebreaks to get past Britain’s Jan Choinski, 7-6(9), 6-7(7), 7-6(4). Round two against Argentina’s Thiago Agustin Tirante, ranked outside the top 60, was supposed to be more straightforward. Instead, it turned into the Djokovic Cincinnati health scare that will define this stretch of his season. Djokovic appeared to vomit during a changeover in the second set, at 6-2, 2-2, before taking a medical timeout and playing on. Tirante seized the opening, breaking to level the second set before closing it out and carrying momentum into a tight decider, winning 2-6, 6-4, 6-4 — the biggest win of his career, arriving the same week he cracked the top 50 for the first time.

The context makes the result more than just an early exit. Djokovic had gone 355-13 — a 96.5 percent clip — after winning the first set at Masters 1000 level across two decades, from 2005 to 2025. Tirante became just the 14th man ever to beat him from that position, and only the second ranked outside the top 30 to do it at this event, after Argentina’s Diego Serra in 2006. Draw and results are available on the official Cincinnati Open site.

What he said afterward mattered more than the scoreline. Speaking to Serbian outlet Sportklub, Djokovic said a years-long health problem — not just the heat — was behind the collapse, describing it as something that’s bothered him for several years and flares badly in high humidity. Temperatures had reached 28 degrees Celsius with 80 percent humidity that Saturday, and he acknowledged the conditions compounded something already working against him, along with the ordinary pressure of competing. Most striking was his closing note: a three-time champion in Cincinnati who arrived on a 10-match winning streak at the tournament said he now considers it more likely than not that this was his last visit. That’s not the language of a man managing a bad day. It’s the language of someone doing the arithmetic on how many more of these he has left.

Cincinnati’s Opening Days Beyond Djokovic

The rest of the draw offered its own threads worth pulling on before the second week.

The contenders are stacked. The entire top 10 and 75 of the top 77 players on the WTA Tour are in the field, headlined by World No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka and defending champion Iga Swiatek, with five past champions and ten Grand Slam winners total in the draw. Naomi Osaka’s late withdrawal reshuffled the bottom half, and Sabalenka — coming off a fourth-round Toronto exit — is projected into a quarterfinal with Elina Svitolina, who arrives fresh off a deep Toronto run of her own.

The men’s field is missing its two biggest names. Wimbledon champion Sinner and Australian Open champion Alcaraz are both out, citing knee and wrist injuries respectively, leaving Taylor Fritz and Ben Shelton as the home favorites to lift the trophy.

There were quieter statement wins. Lorenzo Musetti opened untroubled, and Daniil Medvedev picked up a personal milestone, beating Marco Trungelliti 6-4, 7-5 for his 100th career Masters 1000 hard-court win under new coach Golubev. Felix Auger-Aliassime, playing his first match since Wimbledon, survived a windy finish to beat Stefanos Tsitsipas for his first win over the Greek in four years — a small measure of momentum for the Canadian heading into New York. The full WTA Cincinnati draw breakdown is here.

None of it will be remembered the way the Djokovic Cincinnati health scare is remembered. But it’s the backdrop against which his week has to be read: a tour that keeps moving, with or without its biggest names, toward a US Open that suddenly looks a lot more open than it did a month ago.

Surviving the Scare: Defending Champion Iga Świątek Avoids Wimbledon Disaster in Emotional Opener

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by Bob Stockton

The lawns of SW19 are famous for drama, but few expected it so early for the defending champion. World No. 3 Iga Świątek narrowly escaped a historic upset on Center Court, surviving a ferocious, three-set battle against American world No. 79 Taylor Townsend (6–1, 2–6, 6–3) to cross into the second round.

What should have been a routine opening day turned into a grueling, two-hour psychological test—one that left the six-time Grand Slam champion visibly overwhelmed by the weight of her title defense.

A Tale of Three Sets

At first, everything pointed to a classic Świątek blowout. The Polish superstar came out firing, blasting 10 winners and navigating early pressure to take the first set 6–1. But grass has a way of shaking up expectations, and Townsend, an elite world-class doubles player, found her groove.

Match Scoreboard
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Iga Świątek [3]       6   2   6  (Winner)
Taylor Townsend       1   6   3

In the second set, Świątek’s rhythm completely dissolved. Bedeviled by an uncharacteristic string of unforced errors and a misfiring serve, she quickly found herself down 0–4. Townsend’s relentless net-charging and heavy hitting completely flattened Świątek’s baseline game, comfortably taking the second set 6–2.

The deciding set was pure theater. It opened with a marathon, 21-minute first game where Świątek had to battle back from multiple break points. While she managed to trade breaks with the gritty American midway through the set, Świątek’s trademark resilience finally showed up when it mattered most. She broke Townsend at 4–3 and calmly served out the match to stay alive in the tournament.

Tears of Pure Relief

The moment Townsend’s final volley missed the target, the facade of composure cracked. Instead of a standard celebration, Świątek walked back to her bench, buried her face deep into her towel, and began to sob.

The tears weren’t just about winning a tennis match; they were the release of immense pressure from a highly turbulent 2026 season. Heading into Wimbledon, Świątek hadn’t won a single three-set match all year, carrying the burden of defending her historic All England Club title amidst mounting external scrutiny.

The Independent “A Tough Couple of Weeks”

The raw emotion spilled right over into her post-match on-court interview. Speaking to the Centre Court crowd, a visibly shaken Świątek didn’t hold back about how close she was to the brink.

“I’m not sure if I’m able to talk that much. But it was a tough couple of weeks. Not a season where everything went how I wanted. I don’t think I won any three-set matches this year, so I’m happy I could do it. Obviously it means a lot to be the defending champion here. In the end I kept my composure. I knew I needed to be solid.”

By keeping her footing on the slippery grass, Świątek avoids joining the incredibly short list of reigning female champions to exit in the first round during the Open era. She will need to dust herself off quickly, however; a blockbuster second-round clash against former world No. 1 and 2021 Wimbledon runner-up Karolina Plíšková awaits.

Australian Open 2026: Rivalries Ignite And Legends Return

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Australian Open 2026: Rivalries ignite, legends return and the next generation arrives

The stage is set for a spectacular summer of tennis as the world’s best players descend on Melbourne Park for Australian Open 2026 – a tournament brimming with blockbuster rivalries, historic milestones, and the rise of a new generation of global stars.

Australian Open Tournament Director Craig Tiley says this year’s AO could mark a defining moment in the sport’s history.

“We’re witnessing the birth of what could be the greatest rivalry tennis has ever seen,” Tiley said.

“Jannik Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz are pushing each other to extraordinary levels. They force each other to new heights every time they compete; their contrasting styles make for electric matches and they both fight to the final point. This is a rivalry that could define the sport for years to come.”

World No.2 Sinner returns to Melbourne as the defending champion, fresh off a Wimbledon title and runner-up finishes at Roland Garros and the US Open. He’s chasing a rare three-peat at the Australian Open, a feat only achieved in the Open era by Novak Djokovic.

“If Jannik wins again, he joins Novak in an elite club. That’s the level he’s playing at. But Carlos (Alcaraz) is right there. He’s the world No.1, he’s chasing his first Australian Open title, and with it, a career Grand Slam. That’s a huge motivator.”

And then there’s Novak. The 10-time AO champion. The man who has defined greatness in Melbourne for nearly two decades. Still ranked No.4, still a force at the top of the game, and underestimated at peril.

“Novak thrives on defying expectations and adding to his extraordinary legacy. If he wins here, he becomes the oldest Grand Slam singles champion in the Open era, surpassing the legendary Ken Rosewall, and claims a record 25th major. That’s not just adding to his already incredible honour role, it’s creating history.”

The women’s draw is equally tantalising. World No.1 Aryna Sabalenka, No.2 Iga Swiatek and No.3 Coco Gauff are locked in a fierce battle for supremacy, with Swiatek also chasing a career Grand Slam in Melbourne.

“There’s no clear favourite. Sabalenka’s power, Gauff’s athleticism, Swiatek’s precision – it’s a fascinating mix. Any one of them could dominate 2026,” Tiley said.

Two-time AO champion Naomi Osaka has also surged back into the top 20 and loves the surface at Melbourne Park. World No.4 Amanda Anisimova reached the final at both the US Open and Wimbledon and Emma Raducanu, currently ranked 32, has a chance to be seeded come January.

AO2026 will also showcase the sport’s brightest young stars, such as Brazil’s excitement machine, Joao Fonseca, powerful young Brit Jack Draper, sensational teenagers Mirra Andreeva and Maya Joint, along with Jakub Mensik and Victoria Mboko, all making waves.

“These players aren’t just talented – they’re building new fan bases around the world,” said Tiley. “Fonseca in Brazil, Eala in the Philippines, even Janice Tjen in Indonesia – they’re inspiring the next generation.”

The resurgence of American tennis continues, with 15 men in the top 100, led by Taylor Fritz, Ben Shelton, Tommy Paul, Frances Tiafoe, Alex Michelsen, Brandon Nakashima and Marcos Giron, all inside the top 50.

The women’s field is just as strong, led by world No.3 Coco Gauff, Amanda Anisimova at No.4, and defending AO champion Madison Keys at No.6.

“The depth in American tennis is phenomenal. They’re not just competing, they’re contending for titles,” Tiley said.

Italy’s tennis renaissance continues, led by defending AO champ Sinner, with Lorenzo Musetti at No.9, Flavio Cobolli rising at No.25, and Matteo Berrettini returning to form. On the women’s side, two-time Grand Slam finalist Jasmine Paolini is leading the charge.

“Italian tennis is having a moment. They’ve got flair, fight, and a real belief they can win on the biggest stages,” Tiley said.

Australia’s own Alex de Minaur is coming off a career-best season, reaching the quarterfinals at all four majors and playing a starring role at the Laver Cup where he was instrumental in Team World’s victory. He’ll be joined by Alexei Popyrin, coming back from injury and ranked inside the top 40, rising stars Adam Walton and Tristan Schoolkate, along with Jordan Thompson and Aleksandar Vukic.

On the women’s side, world No.20 Daria Kasatkina is set to be seeded, while teenager Maya Joint, currently ranked 36, is on the cusp of a top-32 seeding following a stellar year. Priscilla Hon has also just cracked the top 100 and is showing strong form heading into summer, along with fan favourites [85] Kim Birrell and [94] Ajla Tomljanovic.

“We could see multiple Aussies seeded in singles this year, which is a huge boost. The Demon is leading the charge, but there’s real depth coming through and we know the fans will come out in force to cheer the Aussies on.

“AO 2026 is shaping up to be one of the most competitive and compelling in recent memory. With rivalries heating up, legends of the game chasing records, and fresh talent breaking through, fans can expect world-class tennis and more unforgettable moments at Melbourne Park this summer,” Tiley continued.


Wimbledon Final Becomes A Blowout For Iga Swiatek

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BY JAMES BECK

It was a blowout. One of the biggest in Wimbledon history.

Iga Swiatek never faced even one break point.

The victory was that complete for a Polish Wonder who now has converted the Trifecta of the Grand Slam’s three surfaces while winning four clay court Grand Slams at the French Open, one Grand Slam at the hard-court U.S. Open and now one at grassy Wimbledon.

American Amanda Anisimova never had a chance. From losing four of the five points played in the first game to dropping four of the six points played in the wrap-up 12th  game of the match, Anisimova never won a game, not even after holding a 40-5 edge in the third game of the match.

A GIFT FROM ANISIMOVA

This wasn’t a real match. The 57-minute encounter was a gift from Anisimova.

Swiatek never faced a break point in a 6-0, 6-0 match that lasted a mere 57 minutes. She yielded a total of four points in a combination of five of the six games played in the 25-minute first set.

The 5-11 Anisimova couldn’t handle the low balls hit by Swiatek.  Anisimova was no match for Swiatek’s movement, quickness and consistency . . . and tight serves, especially her three aces in her last two service games.

There’s not much else to say. Iga is back as one of the women’s game’s great players, not just now but in the open era.

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James Beck (843-795-3584, h)

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James Beck was the 2003 winner of the USTA National Media Award  for print media. A 1995 MBA graduate of The Citadel, he can be reached at Jamesbecktennis@gmail.com.

Rolex Watch-Wearers Prepare To Defend Roland Garros Titles

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Weeks of intense competition on the clay reaches a crescendo, as the tennis world descends on Roland-Garros from Sunday 25 May to Sunday 8 June. Throughout the Rolex Monte-Carlo Masters, Madrid, Rome, and beyond, the European clay-court season has encouraged players to adapt their movement and tactics to this demanding, slow-paced surface. Among those striving for clay-court supremacy in Paris next week will be the reigning singles champions and Rolex Testimonees Iga Świątek and Carlos Alcaraz.

Last year’s journey to the crown was perhaps Świątek’s most challenging to date. The Pole staged a spectacular comeback in the second round, saving a match point at 5–2 down in the third set, before triumphing and going on to lift the Suzanne-Lenglen Trophy for a fourth time. Świątek says:

“Even though I won that match, afterwards I cried for 15 minutes. I really thought I was out of the tournament and it kind of broke my heart. This was the most meaningful title of my career because of how close I came to losing.”

The 23-year-old arrives in the French capital aiming to reproduce the impressive form that has made her look so at home on the tournament’s main arena, Court Philippe-Chatrier. Reflecting on what this court means to her, Świątek adds:

“The sound of the ball on Philippe-Chatrier is just different for me. It feels more like I’m inside a church of tennis and it’s just special. When I think about the emotions I feel when the crowd is cheering and I’m lifting the trophy, it’s amazing, and it’s something every athlete works hard for. It’s our biggest motivation.”

Few styles of play have suited the red clay more than Świątek’s and that of her fellow Rolex Testimonee, Chris Evert. The latter won seven of her 18 women’s Grand Slam® singles titles at Roland-Garros – a record that stands today. Fittingly, the American tennis legend presented Świątek with the trophy last June on the same court where she first tasted Grand Slam® glory in 1974. Reflecting on this memorable moment, Evert says:

“I remember thinking there’s no doubt in my mind that Iga can pass me. She is the perfect clay-court player. I was very excited to present this trophy to her because I felt like I had always related to her quietly, her style of game, her mentality and her love of clay.”

On being part of the Rolex family together, Evert adds:

“I feel very honoured seeing myself alongside top names like Iga’s and part of a group of people that also includes sporting icons like Rod Laver, Arnold Palmer and Roger Federer. Rolex is choosing athletes who have longevity, who are reliable and consistent. I love that we still see the clocks at tournaments like Wimbledon and Roland-Garros today.”

Rolex became Official Timekeeper of Roland-Garros in 2019, reinforcing its long-standing association with tennis dating back almost half a century. During this time, many players have made their mark in sporting history with Rolex by their side. Alcaraz will be joined in the men’s singles draw by the 2025 Australian Open champion Jannik Sinner, along with a quartet seeking a maiden Roland-Garros title, namely Holger Rune, Stéfanos Tsitsipás, Ben Shelton and João Fonseca. Alcaraz, a Rolex Testimonee with four Grand Slam® titles to his name, says:

“I’m really grateful to have the team I have and the people I have around me. I know everyone is giving their heart just to make me improve as a player and as a person. It means a lot to represent my country, at every tournament and in every part of the world where I compete.”

On the women’s side, 2024 doubles champion Coco Gauff and the teen sensation Mirra Andreeva will be looking to improve on their runs to the singles semi-finals last year. Competing alongside them are Caroline Garcia and Qinwen Zheng, both of whom have fond memories of Paris, having achieved some of the greatest moments of their careers at Stade Roland-Garros.

ROLEX TESTIMONEES WHO HAVE WON ROLAND-GARROS
Rod Laver (1962, 1969)
Björn Borg (1974, 1975, 1978, 1979, 1980, 1981)
Chris Evert (1974, 1975, 1979, 1980, 1983, 1985, 1986)
Jim Courier (1991, 1992)
Justine Henin (2003, 2005, 2006, 2007)
Ana Ivanović (2008)
Roger Federer (2009)
Li Na (2011)
Garbiñe Muguruza (2016)
Iga Świątek (2020, 2022, 2023, 2024)
Carlos Alcaraz (2024)

ROLEX AND TENNIS
Rolex celebrates human achievement, recognizing the journey marked by milestones and emotions that culminates in defining moments – determined by a path followed, not just a trophy. Forming an integral part of this philosophy is the Swiss watchmaker’s long-standing relationship with tennis, dating back almost half a century to when it first partnered with The Championships, Wimbledon, in 1978. Since then, Rolex has become Official Timekeeper of all four Grand Slam® events: the Australian Open, Roland-Garros, The Championships, Wimbledon, and the US Open. Over the decades, legends of the game have been welcomed into the Rolex family of Testimonees, including Rod Laver, Björn Borg, Chris Evert and Roger Federer. Rolex’s commitment to tennis extends to the Association of Tennis Professionals (ATP) and Women’s Tennis Association (WTA), high-level tournaments, including the Masters 1000 and WTA 1000 events, the Nitto ATP Finals and the WTA Finals, and leading team competitions, such as the Laver Cup and Davis Cup Finals. Throughout these contests, Rolex Testimonees continue to push the boundaries of performance and endeavour on court. From Grand Slam® title winners Carlos Alcaraz, Coco Gauff, Jannik Sinner and Iga Świątek, to leading players Mirra Andreeva, Taylor Fritz, Ben Shelton, Stéfanos Tsitsipás and Qinwen Zheng, Rolex supports the quest for excellence at the height of tennis today.

ABOUT ROLEX
AN UNRIVALLED REPUTATION FOR QUALITY AND EXPERTISE
Rolex is an integrated and independent Swiss watch manufacture. Headquartered in Geneva, the brand is recognized the world over for its expertise and the quality of its products – symbols of excellence, elegance and prestige. The movements of its Oyster Perpetual and Perpetual watches are certified by COSC, then tested in-house for their precision, performance and reliability. The Superlative Chronometer certification, symbolized by the green seal, confirms that each watch has successfully undergone tests conducted by Rolex in its own laboratories according to its own criteria. These are periodically validated by an independent external organization.

The word ‘Perpetual’ is inscribed on every Rolex Oyster watch. But more than just a word on a dial, it is a philosophy that embodies the company’s vision and values. Hans Wilsdorf, the founder of the company, instilled a notion of perpetual excellence that would drive the company forward. This led Rolex to pioneer the development of the wristwatch and numerous major watchmaking innovations, such as the Oyster, the first waterproof wristwatch, launched in 1926, and the Perpetual rotor self-winding mechanism, invented in 1931. In the course of its history, Rolex has registered over 600 patents. At its four sites in Switzerland, the brand designs, develops and produces the majority of its watch components. A fifth site, also in Switzerland, is under construction and is expected to open in 2029. Rolex carries out its own manufacturing operations, from casting the gold alloys to machining, crafting, assembling and finishing the movement, case, dial and bracelet. Furthermore, the brand is actively involved in supporting the arts and culture, sport and exploration, as well as those who are devising solutions to preserve the planet.

On Celebrates Iga Swiatek’s Fourth Roland Garros Title

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On athlete Iga Świątek walked away with yet another Paris title to add to her impressive collection of successes. The 23-year-old now has five major titles to her name (Paris 2020, 2022, 2023, and 2024, and New York 2022) and joined Monica Seles and Justine Henin as the only players to have won three consecutive titles in Paris. The victory makes her the first woman since Serena Williams (US Open from 2012-14) to win three straight trophies at any major.

In her typical dominant fashion, the Pole defeated Leolie Jeanjean 6-1, 6-2 in the first round. However, ​ the way to the title was not without one big speed bump for the 23-year-old. She was only one point away from a second-round defeat to a resurgent Naomi Osaka in what was hailed one of the best tennis matches of the year 2024. Once she overcame this challenge to win the embattled three-setter (7-6, 6-1, 7-5), Świątek did not look back.

She proceeded to win 52 of her next 66 games and continued her run with straight-set defeats of Marie Bouzkova (6-4,6-2), Anastasiya Potapova (6-0, 6-0), and No.5 seed Marketa Vondrousova (6-0, 6-2). No. 3 seed Coco Gauff fell to her 6-2, 6-4 in the semifinals. With an unbroken series of 20 matches without a defeat on Parisian clay and an active win streak of 18 matches that included tournament victories in Madrid, Paris, and Rome, Świątek made it to her fourth Paris final as the heavy favorite.

Świątek lived up to the expectations. The 23-year-old met Italian first-time finalist Jasmine Paolini head-on, and after overcoming an early break at the beginning of the first set, she did not look back. In the end, she celebrated a clear 6-2, 6-1 win and lifted her fourth trophy after a little over an hour of playing time.

“I don’t have many words at the moment”, Świątek said after her triumph. “I’m extremely proud of myself and the team that we made it after such an intense time in Madrid and Rome. Third in a row, wow. It’s still hard to believe.”

Was The Iga Swiatek vs. Aryna Sabalenka Madrid Final The Greatest Non-Grand Slam WTA Tournament Final?

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Iga Swiatek beat Aryna Sabalenka 7-5, 4-6, 7-6 (7) in a marathon women’s final that lasted three hours and 11 minutes in the Mutua Madrid Open. Some have speculated that the titanic battle was perhaps the greatest WTA Tournament final of all time other than a Grand Slam tournament final.

The world No. 1 Swiatek, the reigning Roland Garros champion, gained revenge for her defeat to Sabalenka in last year’s final, although she had to defend three match points when trailing 5-6 in the last game of the third set, before triumphing in a nerve-wracking tiebreak.

The first set lasted over an hour in a breezy Caja Magica in Madrid, with Swiatek taking advantage of breaking her rival in the 11th game to serve out for the set.

The serve was less dominant in the second set, with both players scoring service breaks, before Sabalenka took a decisive advantage in the final game after Swiatek double-faulted at 15-30 down.

Sabalenka pressed hard in the third set, but Swiatek was able to dig deep and hold on and she also defended another match point in the tie-break before two errors from her rival allowed her to claim the title.

“It was a great effort today. I didn’t know if I was going to win or lose and I was stressed in the first two sets,” commented Swiatek.

“Even if I had lost I knew I had fought hard, and I raised my game in the third set. I knew it was going to be a very complicated match,” she added.

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On Celebrates Iga Swiatek’s Indian Wells Victory

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On athlete Iga Świątek ends a week in the Californian desert by lifting her second trophy of the year and second BNP Paribas Open title of her career at Indian Wells. In a rematch of the 2022 final, which saw Świątek take home her first Indian Wells title, the Polish World No. 1 beat Maria Sakkari (GRE) 6-4, 6-0 to claim the title.

On her way to the final, Świątek beat Daniel Collins (USA), Linda Noskoca (CZE), Yulia Putintseva (KAZ), Caroline Wozniacki (DEN), and Marta Kostyuk (UKR), losing only 17 games and spending just five hours and 23 minutes on court.

In the final Świątek was ready to show the world why she is the undisputed world No 1. in women’s tennis. A competitive first set saw Sakkari win three games straight to level out the first set at 3-3. However, from 4-4 onwards, it was all Świątek’s match.

The second set saw Świątek lose only five points, and after 68 minutes, the title was in her hands. Securing the title for a second time in her career means that Świątek now has the highest win rate (90%) since the inception of the female singles tournament in 1989.

Following the win Świątek reflected on the tournament and her route to the final:

“I’m super happy. I mean, even though this tournament looked like the scores, maybe I had everything under control; it wasn’t from the beginning to the end. So I’m happy I could improve during the tournament. I felt really good in the last two matches, with a big amount of confidence.”


Our Picks For Who Will Win Wimbledon In 2023

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There is a saying in horse racing that there are races that are “bridge jumpers.” This means that there is a favorite that is so much a favorite that you have to bet a lot of money just to make a little money. If the horse doesn’t win, then if you invested a lot of money in the bet, you are going to jump off a bridge because you lost all your money!

Novak Djokovic at Wimbledon is like a bridge jumper race. He is the overwhelming favorite to win – and our pick to win – but if he doesn’t win, there may be some “punters” who will line up on London Bridge after the fortnight.

Who are some “dark horse” picks to maybe pull an upset? Maybe there is a 1985 Boris Becker or 1996 Richard Krajicek or 2001 Goran Ivanisevic out there. Taylor Fritz could fit this role. He has been on the verge of a big breakthrough and aren’t Americans due to win a men’s singles major? It hasn’t happened since 2003 when Andy Roddick won the U.S. Open. Fritz had a disappointing loss to an injured Rafael Nadal last year at Wimbledon so he may be extra motivated to perhaps finish some unfinished business from the year before.

Women’s tennis has been super exciting of late because of its unpredictability. There is a bit of “Big Three” at the moment in women’s tennis between reigning U.S. and French champion Iga Swiatek, Australian Open champion Aryna Sabalenka and Elena Rybakina, the defending Wimbledon women’s champion.

Grass is not the favored surface for Swiatek so it is hard to see her as the definitive favorite, despite the odds. We don’t see Rybakina repeating based the pressure perhaps being too much for her to win again. Sabalenka’s shaky nerves were on full display at Roland Garros and the lawns of Wimbledon certainly bring even more nerves to the surface so we are not picking Sabalenka to be this year’s winner.

Petra Kvitova, a two-time champion at Wimbledon, should certainly be among the leading favorites to win the women’s title and we will make her our pick. She is 11-1 odds which is very attractive to those who want to make an investment.  She won in Miami and again in Berlin on grass leading into Wimbledon so she’s in top form.

Jelena Ostapenko won the pre-Wimbledon event in Birmingham will also be a threat to win the title, but she could also lose in the first round. “We know she has the game for grass,” said Andy Roddick on Tennis Channel. She is about a 25-1 favorite, but she is just too unstable to get through seven matches.

Iga Swiatek Is This Generation’s All-Time Great In Women’s Tennis With 2023 Roland Garros Win

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By Randy Walker

@TennisPublisher

Just 15 months after being suddenly thrust into the top position in women’s tennis, Iga Swiatek is now becoming the face of this generation of women’s tennis.

The 22-year-old from Poland won her fourth major singles title and her third at Roland Garros with a tense at the end 6-2, 5-7, 6-4  win over Karolina Muchova of the Czech Republic. It was only in March of 2022 when Swiatek won the title in Indian Wells, the second biggest of her career at the time, to move into an ultra-satisfying position of No. 2 in the world behind the dominate Ash Barty, the reigning Wimbledon and Australian Open champions. Swiatek had only previously been the shock winner of Roland Garros in 2020 when ranked No. 54. However,  Swiatek was unexpectedly and suddenly launched into being the world No. 1 when Barty announced her surprise immediate retirement and Swiatek, who was satisfied for the moment at being No. 2 was now the world No. 1.  She gracefully adopted to her new responsibility by not only winning the title in Miami that week but winning Roland Garros again in 2022 and then later that year at the U.S. Open.

Now with her third French title and fourth over all major, she is undoubtedly the face of this generation of female tennis players

Swiatek, who had not lost a set en route the final, led by a 6-2, 3-0 margin over Muchova, highly talented and regarded, but ranked only No. 43 and appearing in her first major final.  It appeared a routine rout final was at hand. However, Muchova, who fought back from being 5-2, match point down against world No. 2 Aryna Sabalenka in the semifinals, staged a comeback by taking the second set 7-5, seizing on some closing jitters from Swiatek and connecting more with her aggressive all-court play. Swiatek was able to fight back from a service break down twice, fight off additional break points and in other tight situations and held serve for 5-4 in the final set. Continued aggressive play put her at 15-40, double match point, when Muchova, unfortunately, double-faulted to lose the match.

“Honestly, I think just belief” said Swiatek to Maria Taylor on NBC television on what was the difference for her winning the Roland Garros final over Muchova.

Swiatek joins Monica Seles (1990, 1991, 1992), Arantxa Sánchez-Vicario (1989, 1994, 1998), Margaret Court (1969, 1970, 1973) and Serena Williams (2002, 2013, 2015) as a three-time Roland Garros singles champion, in fourth place all-time. With her fourth major, she equals the number of majors won by the likes of Kim Clijsters, Arantxa Sanchez Vicario, Naomi Osaka and Hana Mandlikova.