Iga Swiatek will ihre Erfolgsserie auf der nordamerikanischen Hartplatz-Tour fortsetzen.
Nach ihrem Triumph in Montreal strebt die Polin in Cincinnati das nächste starke Ergebnis an. Dort geht sie als Titelverteidigerin an den Start und muss ihren Titel verteidigen.
Nach ihrem Auftaktsieg gegen die kolumbianische Topspielerin Arango musste die 25-Jährige aus Warschau gegen die Griechin Maria Sakkari einen Satzrückstand aufholen. Mit 4:6, 6:1, 6:1 zog Swiatek ins Achtelfinale ein.
Swiatek findet zu alter Stärke zurück
"I felt much better after the first set, although I must say that Maria played very well in the first. I just wanted to put a little more pressure on her in the second. Having more time on the court gives you more rhythm, so I'm glad I was able to play such a difficult match because it definitely gives me confidence," erklärte die ehemalige Weltranglistenerste im Interview mit dem Tennis Channel.
Anschließend blickte Iga Swiatek noch einmal auf ihren Triumph in Toronto zurück und betonte, welche Bedeutung der Titel für sie hat: "I've played a lot of hard-fought and difficult matches against opponents I had lost to earlier in the season. I'm happy with how I managed to turn the situation around, I started to play better and not doubt myself. There were some strange habits creeping in, not necessarily positive. This time I took advantage of the confidence I had gained during training and what Francis wanted to implement from the beginning in my game. I felt I could do it from start to finish, and that gave me confidence. I didn't have the feeling that I could lose."
Im Internet – auch in Polen – war Swiatek zuletzt immer wieder Ziel von Kritik. Dazu sagte sie: "I wish the world was a little better and that we had more space to feel respected and appreciated, especially by the people at home, who should value our achievements. I wish everything was a little kinder. I hope we can change something, even if I'm not naïve and I know how the world works."