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World No. 1 Iga Swiatek struggled a bit at the start of her match versus Bianca Andreescu but then absolutely dominated the second set to clinch a 7-6 (2) 6-0. Andreescu was up by a break and had a 3-2 lead in the first set, before Swiatek responded with two quick breaks to take a 5-3 lead.
Swiatek failed to serve out for the first set in the ninth game but kept her focus as she dominated the tie-break to win the opener. After struggling in the first set, Swiatek absolutely dominated the second set as she broke Andreescu three times to complete a straight-set win.
"I feel like every match I'm playing better and better. Even though the first set was pretty tight, I had some ups and downs, I feel like I could play well in important moments and break back anytime," Swiatek told WTA insider.
“The second set showed me that if I'm going to be focused properly from A to Z, I can play great tennis. I really don't have to play risky to get an advantage during the point, which is great, which is what I need on clay”.
Swiatek: "I feel like every match I'm playing better and better. Even though the first set was pretty tight, I had some ups and downs, I feel like I could play well in important moments and break back anytime”. #IBI22 pic.twitter.com/qDgEqKqZd7 — WTA Insider (@WTA_insider) May 13, 2022
Swiatek: “The second set showed me that if I'm going to be focused properly from A to Z, I can play great tennis.
I really don't have to play risky to get an advantage during the point, which is great, which is what I need on clay”.
26 straight wins, 5th consecutive SF.#ibi22 pic.twitter.com/RCcyfq9tyS — WTA Insider (@WTA_insider) May 13, 2022
Swiatek on facing Andreescu for the first time
On Friday in Rome, tennis fans had a chance to see two Grand Slam champions go again each other.
Swiatek won the match and pushed her winning streak to 26 consecutive wins. "I wasn't really expecting anything because I didn't actually know how she's playing after the break. I watched many of her matches before she did that break.
Right now I didn't know if her tennis is the same or it changed a little bit," Swiatek said. "But I knew that physically I can play longer rallies and also play longer matches. So basically I was ready for that. Also, I knew that she's going to change rhythm.
She did that, which was pretty tricky. Just knowing that, I was just ready for it. Tactically I knew it about it, so I'm pretty happy that we prepared well."
