Clay court specialist Iga Swiatek cruised past her first-round opponent at the Madrid Open, as she revealed her objectives for the tournament. With a huge reputation on the clay courts, the Pole hopes to get off to a great start.
After a quiet start in the Stuttgart Open, where Swiatek lost to Elena Rybakina in the semi-finals. It was a brilliant match for both of them, but Rybakina emerged victorious, after which she went on to win the tournament. Hoping to do better in Madrid, Swiatek has gotten off to a rocket start.
In a quick-fire couple of sets, the Pole managed to beat the Chinese with minimum fuss. She won 6-1,6-4 to advance to the next round. Furthermore, a delighted Swiatek revealed her plans for the rest of the tournament.
It means a lot to be able to start with a victory. The conditions are easy for me, I have to go step by step. This tournament is always difficult because sometimes you play during the day, sometimes you play at night and the weather conditions are very different from last year. Said Iga Swiatek in an interview with Puntodebreak.
The Madrid Open is the only European clay tournament where the Pole has not yet triumphed. Despite not having a win here, Swiatek is well-known as the queen of clay and is usually unstoppable on this surface.
Iga Swiatek registers her 150th Tour-level win since 2022 as she eyes her first Madrid Open title
Polish pro Iga Swiatek gets a huge first-round win at the Mutua Madrid Open. Chasing her first title in this tournament, Swiatek revealed in an interview that she doesn’t have any extra motivation for this tournament and is on the lookout to try to win.
Furthermore, the Pole also stated she tries to win every tournament that she plays in. In the year, she has come close many times and even won two tournaments.
I don't have any extra motivation because it is one of the only important tournaments I have left to win. The atmosphere here in Madrid is always very special, especially for the local tennis players, but there are several Masters 1000s throughout the season and I try to win every tournament I play. Said Iga Swiatek in an interview.
With the first-round win, Swiatek recorded her 150th Tour-level win since 2022. She is currently at the top of the list with so many wins and outlasts the others as well. The next in line are Rybakina and Coco Gauff, both with 108 wins.
The Pole will now play Sorana Cirstea in the second round. All the predictions are in favor of the Pole, who has never lost to the Romanian. An enormous opportunity for Swiatek to try to make progress in the Madrid Open.
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