Iga Swiatek has continued her dominance in 2022, after beating Naomi Osaka 6-4 6-0 to win the Miami Open. Swiatek did not drop a set on her way to the title in Miami, and brushed aside a rejuvenated Osaka following a competitive first set.
The Pole, who will be crowned World #1 on Monday, is showing that she is certainly no placeholder following Ash Barty’s retirement.
Swiatek has won 17 consecutive matches on her way to WTA 1000 titles in Doha, Indian Wells, and Miami.
By winning in both Indian Wells and Miami, Swiatek becomes only the fourth woman to complete the “sunshine double.” She joins the likes of Steffi Graf (1994 and 1996), Kim Clijsters (2005), and Victoria Azarenka (2016), with Swiatek being the youngest of the four at the age of only 20.
She is also the first woman to win the first three WTA1000 titles of the year.
Iga Swiatek’s Incredible Record in Finals
The woman from Warsaw has continued her astounding record in finals, having lost just one out of the seven she has competed in. Surprisingly her only loss came at WTA250 level. However, she was only 17.
Grand Slams
Roland Garros (2020) – Beat Sofia Kenin, 6-4 6-1.
WTA1000
Rome (2021) – Beat Karolina Pliskova, 6-0 6-0.
Doha (2022) – Beat Anett Kontaveit, 6-2 6-0.
Indian Wells (2022) – Beat Maria Sakkari, 6-4 6-1.
Miami (2022) – Beat Naomi Osaka, 6-4 6-0.
WTA500
Adelaide (2021) – Beat Belinda Bencic, 6-2 6-2.
WTA250
Lugano (2019) – Lost to Polona Hercog, 6-3 3-6 6-3.
What is next for Iga Swiatek?
The incredible thing about Swiatek’s record-breaking season is that it has not even been on her best surface. The clay is where she turns her attention to next, but she will not be competing straight away.
🇵🇱 Iga Swiatek has withdrawn from the #CharlestonOpen with an arm injury.
“I hoped to start the clay season in Charleston but unfortunately, I need to wait to play this great tournament with big traditions.“
We hope to see you back here in 2023! 😃
📖: https://t.co/GtMy9AcBsI pic.twitter.com/tPxUfet6Qs
— Credit One Charleston Open (@CharlestonOpen) April 2, 2022
The 20-year-old was scheduled to play at the Charleston Open next week, but has understandably decided to pull out. In a statement released by the tournament she has stated that she has a “harmless arm injury.”
Although we will not see Swiatek in action next week, she should be back fairly soon. The Pole will be preparing to defend her title in Rome in May, and then her eyes will be set on regaining the French Open title she won back in 2020.
Main Photo from Getty.
