Iga Swiatek kicked off her grass season in spectacular fashion with a hard-fought win. In a thrilling 1st round clash at the WTA Bad Homburg tournament, Swiatek conquered Tatjana Maria in a gripping three-set battle, culminating in a 5-7, 6-2, 6-0 triumph.
For Swiatek, this match represented her first venture onto the grass courts this season, while Maria had already tested her skills on this surface during her recent participation in the Gaiba, Italy WTA tournament.
Maria’s Exceptional Serve Tests Swiatek’s Resilience in a Grueling Opening Set
The challenges of Maria’s previous tournament persisted as the match got underway. Swiatek showcased her strength early on, securing an initial break in the opening game. Although she missed two break point opportunities at 2-0, Swiatek remained undeterred as Maria showcased her prowess, both with her serves and returns.
Maria’s exceptional serving troubled Swiatek, but the Polish player exhibited resilience. However, at 3-4, Maria successfully broke Swiatek’s serve, introducing unexpected obstacles for the young talent. Swiatek faced mounting adversity as Maria held her serve, ultimately claiming the first set 7-5.
Swiatek Dominates Second and Third Sets with Commanding Breaks for a Decisive Victory
The second set mirrored the first, as Swiatek once again started strong with an early break, establishing a 2-0 lead. Demonstrating her determination, Swiatek secured an additional break, solidifying a commanding 4-1 advantage. With reduced pressure, she sailed through the remainder of the set, triumphing 6-2.
The third set began in a strikingly similar fashion, with Swiatek breaking Maria’s service game right away. This marked the commencement of Swiatek’s resolute pursuit of her first grass season victory. From that point onwards, Swiatek played with composure, confidently capitalizing on a double break advantage. She wrapped up the set with a resounding 6-0 victory, securing the match in three sets.
“IGA ŚWIĄTEK IN THE R2! She beats Tatjana Maria 5:7, 6:2, 6:0. A very valuable experience for Iga. On Wednesday she will play for the QF against Jil Teichmann,”
Tennis News wrote on Twitter.
Swiatek’s next challenge comes in the form of Jil Teichmann, a Swiss player currently ranked 129th in the WTA rankings.
Iga Świątek – Tatjana Maria 2-1 (5-7, 6-2, 6-0)