It took just 70 minutes for the Polish tennis superstar Iga Świątek, to finish off the 2021 US Open champion, United Kingdom's Emma Raducanu (WTA 61), 6:1, 6:0.
"I wouldn't say I'm ruthless. I simply try to keep the same attitude and the same focus regardless of the result. It's not like I want to show something or humiliate the opponent. I just play my tennis, and if it works, why stop? Also - in tennis 'it's not over till it's over', I've seen a lot of games where someone lost focus and the rival came back from 2-5, or something like that".
- the 23 year old Pole, currently ranked 2nd in the world, said after the match.
The Australian Open is the first Grand Slam tournament that Świątek has entered with her new coach, Belgian Wim Fissette - whom she speaks very highly of. They have been working together only since October - but Iga has already shown improvement in many aspects, compared to the second half of the previous season.
"This match was almost perfect for me - but even if something doesn't work out, I always feel that my coach gives me a lot of support and understanding. I feel more relaxed and a bit more confident in my game than last year."
- Świątek admitted.
On Monday, Iga will face the qualifiers' "lucky loser", German Eva Lys (WTA 128th), in Melbourne's Grand Slam tournament 1/8 finals.
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Source: IAR, PAP