Iga Swiatek advances to the third round of Wimbledon after a tough battle
Polish tennis player Iga Swiatek, although not a fan of grass, demonstrated her fighting spirit and determination by coming back to defeat American Caty McNally with scores of 5-7, 6-2 and 6-1, securing her place in the third round of Wimbledon. McNally, ranked 208th in the world, came close to causing an upset by winning the first set after coming back from a 4-1 deficit against the five-time Grand Slam champion. At that moment, Swiatek’s history at the All England Club, where she has never advanced beyond the quarterfinals, seemed to weigh on her. However, the former world number one changed her strategy in the second set, increasing her aggressiveness and demonstrating an intensity that McNally could not match. Swiatek secured an early break in the second set and didn’t look back, losing only three more games to secure a match against another American, Danielle Collins.Upon reaching the last 32, the 23-year-old tennis player demonstrated her consistency on the big stages, being the third player of this century to reach the third round in 22 consecutive women’s singles Grand Slams, after Amelie Mauresmo and Serena Williams. With four Roland Garros titles to his name, another at the US Open and two semi-final appearances in Australia, his performance at Wimbledon stands out remarkably. A run to the final of Bad Homburg, at a grass-court warm-up event, suggested that her game is not entirely unsuited to this surface, although there were moments in the first set against McNally where she may have doubted whether this tournament was for her. After an early break and a 4-1 lead, things got complicated when McNally pushed Swiatek out of her comfort zone. The American approached the baseline to return, trying to reduce Swiatek’s reaction time, and for a while it worked. McNally wasted four break points in the seventh game before seizing her opportunity on the fifth attempt and then broke again to lead 6-5 when Swiatek sent a backhand long. When the Polish player missed a forehand to hand the first set to McNally, everything seemed to be going in the American’s favor. But that was the best she could do. Swiatek knows McNally’s game well, as they were doubles partners in their youth, winning the junior title at Roland Garros in 2018, and set about dismantling it quickly. She broke to lead 2-0 in the second set and again to even the match at one set apiece. Swiatek repeated the feat at the start of the third set, breaking to go up 2-0, with a cross-court forehand, while another winning forehand gave her another break to go up 4-0. Then, it was simple for the Polish player, although she had to save five break points before securing the victory with an ace. In addition to securing their place in the next round, the match against their former playing partner offered a pleasant trip down memory lane.I started the match well, so I knew my game was there. I knew that at the beginning of the second set I had to be more precise. I just tried to improve and I’m happy it worked.
Iga Swiatek
Defending champion Barbora Krejcikova also needed a third set to defeat Caroline Dolehide 6-4, 3-6, 6-2, while 2022 Wimbledon winner Elena Rybakina defeated Maria Sakkari 6-3, 6-1.It’s quite funny because I remember these matches quite well. We know each other pretty well… She’s one of the people who makes you feel that you’re not just rivals on the circuit, but you can also respect and love each other.
Iga Swiatek
