Interview Iga Swiatek: "I am a perfectionist"
Iga Swiatek
conquered the Rome tournament for the first time with a perfect performance,
crushing
Czech
Karolina Pliskova
6-0 and 6-0
. This result in the match for the title of the Masters 1000 in Rome or in any other final of another tournament of that category or higher since the final of Roland Garros in 1988, where
Steffi Graf
beat
Natasha Zvereva
. With this victory, the Polish woman takes her third title, after Roland Garros 2020 and Adelaide 2021, and will enter the top 10 of the WTA ranking for the first time.
It was the first double donut in history to decide the Rome title, and the least contested Italian Open final since 1983, when
Andrea Temesvari
defeated
Bonnie Gadusek
(6-1, 6-0).
The last 6-0, 6-0 in a WTA final was
Simona Halep's
win
over
Anastasija Sevastova
in Bucharest 2016.
Two weeks into the defense of her crown at Roland Garros (May 30-June 13), the Pole only needed 45 minutes to clinch the third title of her career.
This duration at the Foro Italico represents the shortest WTA final since Istanbul 2009, when
Vera Dushevina
needed just 42 minutes to beat
Lucie Hradecka
(6-0 and 6-1).
Swiatek completed 17 winners and only five unforced errors over the course of the match.
In contrast, Pliskova, who started slowly, committed two double faults in each of her first two service games, and did not find a winner until she had an adverse set ball.
Swiatek's 13 points are the fewest in a Masters 1000 final. The previous record was held by
Serena Williams
, who only gave up 24 to
Carla Suárez
in the 2015 Miami final.
"It wasn't my day"
The variety of her blows and her aggressiveness surprised the Czech, who was playing her third final in three years in Rome (victory in 2019, finalist in 2020). "I am very excited, I did not expect to be able to do this tournament," Swiatek commented upon receiving the cup. "A lot has happened this week. I had to play two games yesterday (Saturday, the quarterfinal match in the morning and then the semifinal in the afternoon), I saved match points (in the second round). You have helped me a lot", he launched the Polish in the direction of the public, a way perhaps to ingratiate himself with the fans due to the short time they were able to enjoy the final.
A score of minutes and Swiatek had already won the first set, with three scoreless games with her serve and only four points won by Pliskova.
In the third game of the second set, Pliskova scored her first points with the Pole's serve, and even had two 'break' balls to try to get to 2-1.
But his rival, Swiatek, recovered and saved his service.
It was the coup de grace for the former world number one, who will not forget this first duel with the Polish rising star.
"It is evident, after a good tournament, that it was not my day. My congratulations to her, who has played very well," said the Czech at the awards ceremony, where she tried to put a good face, despite the disappointment she showed in his chair after the humiliating defeat.
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