Czech sixth seed Katerina Siniakova has won the Swedish Open after battling past Caroline Wozniacki 6-3, 6-4, in a final marred by injury problems.
After a lengthy delay due to rain, the clash saw both players struggle with their physical problems throughout the match. Siniakova had her right tricep tapped up and Wozniacki appeared to be bothered by both her left wrist and right elbow. These issues resulted in a series of errors from both players, but most notable was the 39 which came off of Wozniacki’s racket.
The injury troubles were partly behind the roller coaster encounter between the two players. Underdog Siniakova was the first to pounce by breaking Wozniacki’s fragile serve two consecutive times on route to a 4-1 lead. The Czech then had five opportunities to break once more for a 5-1 lead, but failed to convert all of them during a marathon seven-deuce Wozniacki service game. Having her lead reduced from 4-1, 4-3, Siniakova managed to restore her lead in the eighth game. A Wozniacki forehand drifted beyond the baseline to secure the Czech a break for 5-3 on route to securing the opening set.
Katerina Siniakova takes the opening set off Wozniacki 6-3! #EricssonOpen pic.twitter.com/M3vNgm7Y7I
— WTA (@WTA) 30 July 2017
With the momentum in favour of the sixth seed, proceedings was brought to a halt for over ten minutes due to back-to-back injury time outs. First, it was Wozniacki that was seeking treatment of her two issues, which she appeared to be in visible discomfort with. Then Siniakova had the strapping on her bicep replaced.
Engage in what appeared to be a battle of the wounded, Wozniacki managed to display glimmers of her recent form, by surging to a 3-1 lead in the second set. Still, it was nowhere consistent enough as a series of errors from the Dane brought her opponent back into the match. As the top seed continued to fade away, the 21-year-old rallied towards the finish line. Serving for her second WTA title, the 2016 runner-up secured victory with the help of a serve down the line.
“It’s a really amazing thing for me. Last year was really good, I’m so happy that I was able to come back. I couldn’t have imagined a better week. I’m so happy that I won.” Said Siniakova.
Sealing the far from perfect performance with a winner-error ratio of 20-28, the Czech paid tribute to the world No.6 during the trophy ceremony.
“Well done Caroline, you have had a great season. It is a lot of pressure to play against you. I’m sorry I won, but I was just enjoying the game.” She joked.
Wozniacki remains upbeat
Today’s defeat is the fifth time that Wozniacki has lost in a final this season. Yet to win a title in 2017, the former world No.1 it is refusing to be disappointed with her latest performance.
“It was a tough match. Katerina played well. So congratulations (to her) on the title. I’m sure we are going to have many more matches and it has generally been a good week (for me).” Said Wozniacki, who didn’t mention her ongoing injury problems.
Next for both players will be the North American hard-court swing of the tour. Wozniacki will be hoping to end her title drought within the coming months as she prepares for the US Open. The only grand slam where she has reached the final at (2009 and 2014).
“The US Open is one of the tournaments that I have done my best in and one of my favourite tournaments of the year. I’m excited to go back and see how I do during the hard-court season and hopefully finish the year strong.” She concluded.
