Iga Swiatek swept aside Australian Open champion Aryna Sabalenka in straight sets to win the Porsche Tennis Grand Prix in Stuttgart on Sunday.
The world No.1 surged to a 6-3, 6-4, victory in what was the first Tour final between the world’s top two players at a clay event since the 2013 French Open. Swiatek, who has now won five out of her seven meetings against Sabalenka, was unbroken throughout the match and won 70% of her service points. It is the sixth time in the Pole’s career that she has won a title on the clay which makes her the youngest female player to achieve this milestone since Martina Hingis in 2000.
“I want to thank my team because it has been such an intense time. I am so happy we are making the right decisions,” Swiatek said afterwards.
“It is a pretty exciting time. I will be coming back because I love this tournament.”
In what was an at times close encounter, Swiatek secured victory by breaking only twice in the match – once towards the end of the first set and then immediately at the start of the second. She extends her unbeaten streak in Stuttgart to 8-0 and has now won 13 out of the 16 Tour finals she has played in.
The latest victory is a much-needed confidence boost for the 21-year-old who was sidelined from the sport for 45 days due to a rib injury. Before Sabalenka, she also scored wins over former world No.1 Karolina Pliskova and then two-time Grand Slam finalist Ons Jabeur who had to retire from their encounter.
Despite the loss, there is some good news for Sabalenka who has won 23 matches so far this season. She will still maintain her lead in the Race to the WTA Finals which is rumoured to be returning to China later this year. It is the third successive year that she has finished runner-up in Stuttgart which awards their champion their own car every year.
“I have a question for the tournament sponsors, tournament director and everybody who makes this event possible. Can I make a deal if I make it to another final, I’ll get just an extra car?” Sabalenka jokes.
Swiatek is the first player to defend her title in Stuttgart since Angelique Kerber who won the event in 2015 and 2016.
