Iga Swiatek Surpasses Serena Williams in Record-Breaking WTA 1000 Streak

   

Iga Swiatek, the 23-year-old Polish tennis sensation, has successfully ousted the 2022 WTA Finals champion Caroline Garcia, with a score of 6-2 7-5, in her Miami Open campaign. This victory not only propels her into the third round of the Miami Open but also crowns her with a shining new record in the WTA 1000 category.

 

Previously, this record was a tie between Serena Williams and Victoria Azarenka, who held the distinction of 23 consecutive opening wins in the WTA 1000 tournaments. However, Swiatek, the current world No. 2, has swiftly and smoothly surpassed this record, marking her 25th row-opening victory in WTA 1000 matches. This accomplishment has made Swiatek the first player to win 25 consecutive opening matches at WTA-1000 events since the adjustment of the format in 2009.

Iga Swiatek is no stranger to the WTA 1000 battleground. In 2021, she was crowned the champion in Rome and has since been a constant presence in WTA 1000 finals. To date, she has ten titles to her name from this category and has consistently shown her prowess on the court. In fact, her first Miami Open title came three years ago, and she has continued her winning streak in this tournament ever since.

Despite her victory, Swiatek’s match against Garcia was not without its challenges. After a strong start in the first set and an initial break in the second set, Swiatek found herself losing her serve in two consecutive games. Garcia even had a set point at 5-4 before Swiatek managed to turn the tables, saving it and completing a two-set win.

In a candid admission after the match, Swiatek highlighted a drop in her energy levels as a key concern. “My energy level got down really fast. So I tried to wake myself up, keep the intensity from the first set, follow through and go for it,” the world No. 2 revealed.

Nevertheless, Swiatek managed to keep any significant drama at bay during her game against Garcia. She now looks forward to her third-round match in the Miami Open against Elise Mertens. With her unwavering determination and impressive winning streak, Swiatek continues to be a force to be reckoned with in the world of tennis.