Iga Swiatek has become only the fourth WTA player since 2000 to win a 28th match in a row after dismantling Ons Jabeur in the final of the Italian Open.
The world No.1 largely dictated proceedings throughout her 6-2, 6-2, triumph over the Tunisian in what was yet another clinical performance from the 20-year-old. Overall, she won 67% of her first service points and broke five times. Recording her first win over Jabeur since the 2019 Washington Open and only the second in her career out of four attemps.
“I want to congratulate Ons. You’ve shown the fighting spirit, so much variety on court that really, it’s so nice to have you on tour because your tennis is just different and it’s really interesting for women’s tennis. Also off court you’re such a great person,” she said during the trophy ceremony.
Swiatek entered the final as the bookmakers favorites given her stellar run on the Tour in recent weeks. The Pole was on a 27-match winning streak and had impressively won 40 out of her last 41 sets played. Meanwhile, Jabeur also had momentum on her side after recently winning the biggest title of her career last week in Madrid and claiming 11 straight wins for the first time in her career at the age of 27.
With the trophy at stake, it was the world No.1 who dedicated the match early on with some clinical play. Swiatek’s ability to play quickly and take time away from her opponent during rallies enabled her to break in just the second game. Back-to-back Jabeur forehand errors handed the former French Open champion the break as she eased to a 3-0 lead with relative ease. Triggering flashbacks of Swiatek’s win in the Rome final 12 months ago where she thrashed Karolina Pliskova 6-0, 6-0.
This time round Swiatek did drop games, but her performance was just as impressive. After missing her first set point, she earned a second chance by punishing a Jabeur dropshot with a cross-court forehand winner. The 6-2 lead was then sealed when a baseline exchange between the two concluded with a deep Swiatek forehand to the corner of the court which her opponent couldn’t return.
Historically winning the first set in the final of a WTA 1000 event is crucial with only 1 out of the last 24 title matches being won by a player who didn’t (Osaka at the 2019 China Open). On top of that, Swiatek boasted a staggering 30-0 record when claiming the opener at these tournaments.
Set number two was a case of deja vu with Swiatek once again utilizing her powerful shot-making to draw errors from across the court as she broke early on en route to a 3-0 lead. At this stage it was visible that Jabeur was getting fatigued and frustrated as she kicked one of the tennis balls.
Nearing towards the title, Swiatek encountered a blip by dropping one of her service games to the delight of a suddenly rejuvenated Jabeur and her fans. Then when leading 6-2, 4-2, she valiantly saved a quartet of break points to move to a game from victory. Avoiding the threat, Swiatek triumphed on her first championship point when yet another baseline exchange concluded with an error from across the court. Prompting a tearful Pole to collapse to the ground.
“I want to congratrulate Iga for the great run,” said runner-up Jabeur.
“You’re a really great inspiration for all of us, so thank you.” She added.
Swiatek has now won 35 WTA Tour matches this season which is 10 more than any other player, according to SAP Tennis Analytics.
