“I got distracted” – Swiatek on second-set glitch v Putintseva

Iga Swiatek described the problems posed by Yulia Putintseva and how she got round them

Iga Swiatek in Rome (Inside/Panoramic)

Carrie Dunn

May 11, 2024

Internazionali BNL d'Italia •Third round • completed

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I. SwiatekvsY. Putintseva

Iga Swiatek has become so dominant on clay that it says something when conceding seven games to an opponent is viewed as a shock.

However, it was the way the second set against Yulia Putintseva in Rome unfolded that caught the eye – Swiatek was close to going 5-1 down before reeling off five games to win the match in straight sets, 6-3, 6-4.

She told reporters afterwards that she was not disappointed with her display – rather, she was content with the manner of her comeback.

“I’m happy with the way I played, maybe besides this beginning of the second set,” she said. “I’m happy I came back. I knew what I wanted to improve. At the end I’m happy that I finished in two sets.”

Swiatek: I got the control back

Asked how she managed to turn the match back round in her favour, she explained: ” I think it was all about my energy and my state at the time. I got a little bit distracted.

“I just came back to how I played basically I think in the first set. It was enough for me to get the control back.”

And on Putintseva’s challenges as an opponent, she said: “I think she’s tough opponent because she’s changing the rhythm a lot. She’s also, as you could see today, playing differently. She was, like, two metres behind the baseline on the return, which she didn’t do before. She can mix it up. She has a good touch. I think that’s what makes her tricky.”