Iga Świątek staged a remarkable comeback to defeat Daria Kasatkina at the WTA Finals held in Saudi Arabia in 2024. This match marked the eighth encounter between the two players, with Świątek seeking to extend her dominant record over Kasatkina, whom she had previously defeated six times since their only loss in 2021.
Iga Świątek’s Stunning Comeback
The match began unexpectedly, as Świątek struggled with her form while Kasatkina took an aggressive approach. Kasatkina, who recently changed her citizenship from Russia to Australia, won the initial two games and threatened to break Świątek’s serve early on. Despite being in trouble, the Polish player managed to regain her composure.
Mismatched Momentum
Although Świątek led at one point during the first set, a critical turning point occurred as Kasatkina surged back to win the set 7:5. This marked her first set victory against Świątek since 2021.
Game-Changing Adjustments
In the second set, after signaling a need for a new racket, Świątek took control and won 6:1. Her strong performance indicated that she had found her rhythm.
- First Set: Kasatkina 7, Świątek 5
- Second Set: Świątek 6, Kasatkina 1
- Final Set: Świątek 6, Kasatkina 1
Final Set Dominance
Świątek began the decisive set with an early break, quickly establishing a lead. Despite a brief challenge during a break point, Świątek maintained her composure and secured her place in the quarterfinals with a final score of 5:7, 6:1, 6:1.
Looking Ahead
With this victory, Świątek is now one win away from defending her previous year’s points at the Finals. Her upcoming match against Maria Sakkari promises to be a highly anticipated showdown.
The match exemplified Świątek’s resilience and ability to overcome early setbacks, showcasing her status as a formidable competitor in women’s tennis.
