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Iga Swiatek: Smooth victories, hearty defeats

Iga Swiatek failed in Indian Wells in the semifinals against Elena Rybakina. And again in an amazingly smooth way.

by Jens Huiber
last edit: Mar 18, 2023, 11:14 am

Iga Swiatek often had reason to quarrel on Friday

The curse of defending the title, which has lasted in Indian Wells since 1991, was a bit too severe for Iga Swiatek, so we don't want to blame the world number one for that. And who knows: After Swiatek classified her entry into the final in Dubai as a success despite the defeat against Barbora Krejcikova, she may not be completely dissatisfied with the semi-finals in Tennis Paradise.

Certainly with the result! 2: 6 and 2: 6 against Elena Rybakina - this is a result that on the still fast lawn in Wimbledon could be explained well with the serve strength of the native Russian, who started for Kazakhstan. But on the hard court in Indian Wells, which has now been described as (too) slow? Good: Swiatek didn't start the game very well and reported pain in the rib area afterwards.

But it's not the first bankruptcy this year, which is very clear: Swiatek also lost Jessica Pegula in the United Cup 6-2 and 6-2 (although she took revenge on the American in the final in Doha), against Rybakina was 4:6 and 4:6 at the Australian Open, and against Krejcikova in the final in Dubai 4:6 and 2:6.

Does Swiatek lack a plan B?

On the other hand, there are a lot of straight victories. In Doha, Swiatek only gave up five games in three matches on the way to winning the tournament. In Dubai there were only nine in three games before the final.

Can you conclude from this that Swiatek is untouchable on good days - and on less good days simply has no plan B for its permanent power tennis? Yes, that the world number one really tenses up when things don't go their way? In any case, it is striking that Iga Swiatek has not played a single three-set game this season. And by the way, only one tiebreak (at the United Cup against Belinda Bencic).

In any case, the last big comeback of the still only 21-year-old industry leader was some time ago: she succeeded in the semifinals of the US Open against Aryna Sabalenka.

Here the individual tableau in Indian Wells

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