Iga Swiatek Remains Upbeat Despite Squandering Match Point Against Madison Keys At Australian Open - UBITENNIS

Iga Swiatek Remains Upbeat Despite Squandering Match Point Against Madison Keys At Australian Open

Iga Swiatek is looking ahead to the rest of the season after her Australian Open exit.

By Anshu Taneja
5 Min Read
(@AustralianOpen - Twitter)

After losing an epic match – including missing a match-point when serving for a place in her first Australian Open Ladies Final at 6-5 up and the chance to challenge for the number 1 again – Iga Swiatek was clearly dejected with the outcome but also praised her opponent.

“Obviously, it’s disappointing, but this is sport, it’s not always going to go my way,” she said afterwards in her press conference. “At the end Madison, was brave with her decisions, and she pushed me when she needed to. I would say I wasn’t feeling as free as on previous matches to also push in the important moments. Madison really did the work as she should. She totally deserves to be in the final.”

In a match featuring constant breaks of serves by both players, Madison Keys finally came through 5-7, 6-1, 7-6 (10-8) to reach her second Slam final, having lost the 2017 US Open to Sloane Stephens. Swiatek could not pinpoint one particular moment where the match shifted and instead credited Keys’ high-risk strategy coupled with far fewer unforced errors.

It was a matter of one or two balls. This match was long, it had many different changes of momentum and many different moments that I could describe. I think I played good, but she played better. I did everything I could. I think maybe I would have won it if I could win easy points with my serve as she did. She could always come back from being in trouble with the serve, but I didn’t serve as well. So maybe that made a difference.”

Swiatek’s route to the semi-finals included dropping just fourteen games in five matches, with only two women reaching the same stage losing fewer. Her surprise loss denies the tournament seeing the top two seeds face off for the World number one ranking, although she does take home over $1m Australian dollars in prize money.

Strangely, the second set was over in just 27 minutes where Swiatek admitted that she ‘just stopped moving’, although the other two sets were very close.

It was tight from the beginning. The second set for sure, it was something that I just wanted to forget about and get back to my game. I would say the first set and third set where I feel I was playing my tennis. Okay, I wasn’t 100% control as in previous matches.

She made less mistakes than in the other matches I won against her. I also played against her in Cincinnati where she played perfectly, and I had nothing to say. I know she could do both. I didn’t know which one she’s going to be today. I think she was just more solid than when we played these matches that I won.”

Swiatek refused to believe that playing under the roof had a consequence on the contest – playing night matches on centre court usually results in a lower ball bounce.

“I don’t think it did because it was literally just one or two points in the match. The opponents that I played before were playing different pace than Madison. I think if it would be hotter, maybe my ball would have more impact hitting the ground with my spin.

But under the roof, my spin, it will be a bit slower, it’s just physics. On the other hand, maybe she would play some shots too long because she is risking a lot when she plays. It’s always a mix of different things.”

Although clearly disappointed with the result, Swiatek insisted on taking the positives from her great start to the year including representing Poland and reaching the final of the United Cup.

“Overall, I am pretty positive. I’ve been feeling a bit better than previous years here. United Cup always brings a lot of positive emotions, but here I always felt tense and not always happy. This year it was different. For sure it gives me a positive vibe for the rest of the season.

Obviously, I wanted more. I already played a semifinal. I wanted to win this one, but I think if I keep working hard, I’ll have more chances in the future, and maybe I’ll use them as I didn’t use my match point today.”

Leave a comment