World number one Iga Swiatek faced a disappointing defeat in the final at the Centre Court against Czech Republic’s Barbora Krejcikova in straight sets on Saturday (February 25). Krejcikova finished the match in over an hour and 30 minutes to outclass the Pole 4-6, 2-6 to clinch her maiden Dubai Tennis Championship. It was her first WTA title of the year and the sixth of her career.
“It definitely means a lot,” Krejcikova said of her first WTA 1000 title. “It was a great week for me. I think I was improving with every game, and today I finished on my best. I’m really happy with the result.” Also Read: Nick Kyrgios Claims He Hasn’t Done Anything Crazy To Be Branded The “Bad Boy” Of Tennis
Iga Swiatek was the favorite to win the title as she entered the tournament after lifting the Qatar Open earlier this month. She reached the final by beating Coco Gauff in straight sets in the semifinal.
Check how Twitter reacted Barbora Krejcikova’s win over Iga Swiatek
🇨🇿 @BKrejcikova has become the first woman to defeat Iga Swiatek *TWICE* since she became No. 1 last April, with a 6-4, 6-2 victory over the Polish trailblazer in the final of Dubai. 💥
Krejcikova also defeated Swiatek in the final of Ostrava last October, 5-7, 7-6 (4), 6-3.
— TENNIS (@Tennis) February 25, 2023
She was sick with the same player in the final at Ostrava. . Hope she feels better soon. JAZDA 1GA ❣️
— ttlle (@ttlle) February 25, 2023
I am reallyyyyyyy sad that Iga lost but
— Siya Dingankar (@IgaSwiatekfan) February 25, 2023
I feared with soar throat that she would have a tough time today.
— STEPHEN LUKESH (@STEPHENLUKESH) February 25, 2023
She will surely beat her next time
— Siya Dingankar (@IgaSwiatekfan) February 25, 2023
What an incredible week for Barbora Krejcikova! She crowns it with a title, defeating World No.1 Iga Swiatek 6-4, 6-2 in the #DDFTennis final.
She beat the top three players in the world this week. Remarkable!
It's a sixth WTA singles title for the Czech. First WTA 1000 title.
— Biola Solace-Chukwu (@Beeorlicious) February 25, 2023
Earlier in the match, Iga Swiatek earned two points in the first set but her opponent went to claim the left ones. It seemed the Pole had lost her rhythm in the second set. Despite getting four chances to break Krejcikova’s serve, she faltered to convert even one.
Now Krejcikova became the first woman to beat Swiatek twice, having beaten the Pole in a marathon final in Ostrava last October 5-7, 7-6 (4), 6- 3. Not only that, she became the fifth woman in WTA history to beat number one, number two, and number three at the same tournament. This title has become the biggest of her career since her claiming the Roland Garros in 2021. Also Read: Andy Murray Saves 5 MPs To Defeat Lehecka, Reaches Qatar Open Final
Krejcikova, who is currently ranked 30th, advanced to the final after conquering three players in the top 10 of the WTA Rankings. At first, she defeated Daria Kasatkina, then 2023 Australian Open champion Aryna Sabalenka, then world number three Jessica Pegula. Also Read: Novak Djokovic Looks Forward To Playing In US Despite Being Unvaccinated
Thank you for reading it. Leave us a comment if you liked it.
Do follow us on: Google News | Facebook | Instagram | Twitter | Youtube | LinkedIn
Have a good day ahead 🙂
