Iga Swiatek is the WTA No. 1, and although the Pole had a disappointing Australian Open, she is still on point and dominating the circuit. Swiatek had another terrific week in Doha, securing her third consecutive title at the event. Expect the World No. 1 to continue to play well as the season progresses.
World No. 1 Iga Swiatek continuing her domination
Iga Swiatek ended 2023 as the top-ranked female tennis player. After losing the top spot at the US Open, the Pole re-gained the ranking at the year-end WTA Finals. Having won that event without dropping a set, and only dropping 20 games, Swiatek would start the year at the top.
Swiatek entered the Australian Open as a four-time Grand Slam champion, with only the Australian Open and Wimbledon missing from the collection. The Pole had points to defend in Australia, having made the fourth round in 2023.
The top seed started well, with a straight-sets win in the first round. The second round saw a three-set battle against Danielle Collins before progressing. The third round was where the Pole fell in a three-set defeat to Linda Noskova, a very disappointing loss for Swiatek, who believed she had a real chance to win her first title in Melbourne Park.
Qatar Open title
Taking time out after the Grand Slam, Swiatek next entered the Qatar Open. The top seed made light work of her opponents, claiming the title without dropping a set. It was her third consecutive title at the event,
In the first round against Sorana Cristea, the Pole only dropped two games. Next up was No. 14 seed Ekaterina Alexandrova. The top seed dropped only 5 games in that match. The following match was against Victoria Azarenka. The Belarussian lost a service game in the first set, before Swiatek once again stepped up a gear and bageled Azarenka.
The semifinal was a walkover as Pliskova was unable to take to the court, handing a spot in the final to the world No. 1. After a tough tiebreak first set in the final against Rybakina, the Pole put on more pressure and broke twice to lift the title in straight sets.
With that title, Swiatek certainly put the disappointment of her Australian Open performance behind her. The world No. 1 is at the Dubai Championship with a tough first-round matchup against Sloane Stephens. Swiatek has won both of the previous meetings in straight sets.
There is no reason to assume that Swiatek will not keep up this domination through Dubai and into the rest of the season. I believe the Pole will win at least one more slam this year, with the French Open seeming to be her favorite.
Main Photo Credit: Mike Frey – USA TODAY Sports
