Swiatek continues to dominate at WTA Finals, dispatching Garcia in straights

On Thursday in Fort Worth, the only player in the WTA Finals field to own a victory over Iga Swiatek in 2022 took a shot at a second consecutive win over the world No 1. Caroline Garcia, one of the most improved players on the tour in 2022, with revamped attacking tennis and rebuilt confidence, pressured the Pole from start to finish, but ended up on the short side of the scorecard, falling 6-3, 6-2 to Swiatek in one hour and 24 minutes.

The victory for Swiatek was more proof of her adaptability and her ability to shine on all surfaces. There was plenty of pressure coming from Garcia’s side of the court, but the Pole weathered all challenges and sauntered to a relatively uncomplicated victory, winning nine of the final 11 games, thanks to an impeccable stat line of 17 winners and eight unforced errors.

The key? Don’t crack!

After the match, which improves her record to 66-8 on the season, Swiatek was asked by tournament emcee Blair Henley what she felt the key to the match was.

“I would say don’t crack,” she said. “Because she’s putting a lot of pressure and putting a lot or speed to her balls, so I knew that I need to get them back.” 

Garcia, who hit 19 winners against 20 unforced errors in the contest, was on the front foot and doing everything she could to make Swiatek uncomfortable. She hit some lethal pinpoint returns, and played some gorgeous touch volleys at the net, but it was Swiatek who managed the critical junctures of the match better.

There were no apparent nerves from the Pole, just a cool, unimpeachable clarity that took her through the tough moments.

Garcia edged ahead by a break in the third game of the match, but her lead was short-lived as Swiatek returned the favour in the next game.

From 3-3 Swiatek reeled off five games on the trot to take control of the contest, rallying from triple break point down to consolidate for 2-0 early in the second.

From there Garcia held her own, but the court was already too tilted in Swiatek’s favour. The damage had been done – the top-seeded 21-year-old scored an insurance break for 5-2 and served out the match in the next game, converting her first match point to improve to 2-0 in group play in Fort Worth.

Solid tactics, solid results

“I think we had really good tactics with my coach,” Swiatek said after the match. “They gave me belief that I can actually dominate even though she’s playing really, really well.”

Swiatek said she was ready for the pressure of Garcia’s all-out attack, and added that she had faith she could weather any storm.

“I needed to remember that it doesn’t really matter where she’s standing,” she said, referring to the Frenchwoman’s aggressive court positioning. “If I’m gonna do my job, she’s going to put some returns in for sure but she’s going to make some mistakes. 

“I decided I’m gonna just focus on myself and do my work.”

Crushing the top-10 with consistency

Swiatek’s victory over Garcia marks her 14th consecutive win over top-10 talent in 2022. The Pole is the first player since 2007 to win at least 14 matches in succession against the top-10.

The Pole entered the season with a 5-6 record against the top-10. She is now 19-7.

Swiatek nearly qualified for semis

Swiatek remains at the top of the table in the Tracy Austin Group at Fort Worth, but she hasn’t officially qualified for the semi-finals yet. Here are the scenarios by which she can qualify this evening.

• If Swiatek and Kasatkina win, Swiatek advances as group winner, Gauff is eliminated (Kasatkina and Garcia would play for the No.2 spot on Saturday)
• If Swiatek wins in straight sets and Gauff wins in three sets, Swiatek advances (position tbd)

You might also like this

“Hopefully, we’re gonna see a full house soon” – Swiatek hopes Fort Worth fans start showing up for WTA Finals

tennis majors

“The most important thing was staying positive” – Caroline Garcia shakes off stress to defeat Gauff in WTA Finals opener

tennis majors

Players, Groups, Prize Money, Fort Worth: Everything you ever wanted to know about the WTA Finals (but never had time to find out)

tennis majors

Sakkari stops Sabalenka – surging Greek is the first to qualify for semis in Fort Worth

tennis majors