Iga Świątek’s Victory in Cancun
Iga Świątek’s match against Marketa Vondrousova in Cancun may not have been her best performance this year, but her victory holds great value. The Polish player faced difficulties in the first set against the Czech, but the second set seemed much more one-sided. Does this sound familiar? Their encounter in Cincinnati before this year’s US Open was quite similar.
A Repeat of Cincinnati
In Cincinnati, Świątek won 7-6, 6-1. The Czech broke her serve twice in the opening game, leading 5-3 to close out the set. However, she failed to do so and lost the set 6-7.
Over two months later, a similar scenario unfolded in Cancun. In the first part of the match played on Monday night, Marketa Vondrousova had an even better situation than in Cincinnati. She broke Iga Świątek’s serve three times, leading 5-2 and serving twice to finish the game, but she faltered. The second-ranked player came out on top with a 7-6 victory.
The first set was mainly a battle between Iga Świątek and herself. With weaker serves, poor decisions on when to approach the net, and unforced errors, especially on her backhand. When the Polish player raised her level of play, her opponent immediately started to struggle.
The tiebreaker was symbolic: Vondrousova initially led 2-0. She hit a drop shot just beyond the net, after which Świątek couldn’t respond well. This element of the game was undoubtedly the most effective in the Czech’s gameplay. However, it wasn’t enough for a final victory, not even to win a set.
The Collapse of the Czech
After some time, the Polish player scored her first ace in the match, at such a crucial moment. She impressed with her focus on the final points of the opening set. Her opponent, on the other hand, was so lost that she committed a double fault while serving in the set.
Just like in Cincinnati, the course of the first set in Cancun determined the fate of the second set. After over an hour of play, the Czech had to start over. She still needed to win two sets to win the entire WTA Finals 2023 match.
Vondrousova seemed unable to shake off those missed opportunities in the first set. More games slipped away, and her body language clearly indicated that she wouldn’t win this match.
The outcome couldn’t be any different: Iga Świątek won the second set 6-0. A result that, of course, wasn’t solely a consequence of the Czech’s weaker attitude, but also of the Polish player’s improved mindset. The second-ranked player finally found her rhythm in rallies, made fewer errors, and played with more patience. She capitalized on her opponent’s mistakes and clearly started serving better.
Why is this Victory So Important?
Our tennis player’s victory in the opening match in Cancun is significant news. It’s not easy to participate in such a prestigious event, especially when the preparations weren’t perfect and players complained about the late opening of the main court in Mexico. The Polish player also had a longer break, as she played her last match in the Beijing final on October 8. Getting back into the tournament rhythm is never easy.
It’s also necessary to consider the weather conditions. During the match between Świątek and Vondrousova, there was terrible humidity in Cancun, which was easily noticeable on both players’ faces and clothing. Our player found her way better in these demanding circumstances and secured her first points in the WTA Finals 2023. In the second match of this group, Coco Gauff will face Ons Jabeur. Tournament broadcasts will be available on Canal Plus Sport.