In her first match since triumphing at the French Open, Iga Swiatek reminded her peers why she is world No.1 by producing a clinical first round win at Wimbledon.
Swiatek, who has now won an outstanding 36 matches in a row, was largely the dominant force throughout her 6-0, 6-3, triumph over Croatia’s Jana Fett. A 25-year-old who was playing in the main draw of a major for the first time since 2018. Swiatek stormed through the match with the help of 10 winners and broke her opponent six times.
“It was my first match on grass this season so I knew it was going to be tricky. I lost my focus a little bit (in the second set) and she used that pretty well,” said Swiatek.
“I’m pretty happy that I came back and finished in two sets. I’m just feeling out how to play here (at Wimbledon) and implementing all the things we have been practicing. It’s a new experience for me.”
The 21-year-old top seed was selected by Wimbledon to open up proceedings on Center Court on the first Tuesday. An honor which is usually done by the reigning women’s champion but Ash Barty has retired since her triumph. Tournament CEO Sally Bolton commented that Swiatek was the ‘obvious choice to do so.’
Living up to Bolton’s recent praise, Swiatek came out the blocks running as she raced through the opener in just over 30 minutes. Winning 31 out of 49 points played in the set. Incredibly that was the 17th time she has won a set 6-0 this year during a competitive match.
However, the fairytale start failed to continue into the second frame with Swiatek coming unstuck behind her serve. Twice in a row, she was broken by a growingly confident Fett who fed off of the animated support she received from the crowd. Out of nowhere, the former top 100 player worked her way to a 3-1 lead.
Sensing danger, Swiatek worked her way back to draw level at 3-3 with the help of some costly errors from her rival. Closing in on victory two games later, she failed to convert a duo of break point opportunities before succeeding on her third attempt after a Fett backhand landed out. Serving for a place in the last 64, she sealed victory with a 106 mph serve down the center of the court that Fett hit back into the net.
“It’s pretty tricky because I still feel like I have only played like 12 weeks on the grass in my life. But the atmosphere and tradition (of Wimbledon) is pumping me up so I’m motivated to play here well and use the experience my coach has,” the top seed commented afterward.
Swiatek is only the third woman to win 36 Tour-level matches in a row since 1990. Martina Hingis achieved the milestone in 1997 and Monica Seles did so in 1990.
In the second round, Swiatek will play Dutch lucky loser Lesley Pattinama Kerkhove.
