With her opening victory in Melbourne, world No. 1 Iga Swiatek advanced to 15-1 in Grand Slam first-round matches. But on Monday, a resolute Jule Niemeier put a lot of pressure on her.
The 21-year-old Polish player won the match 6-4, 7-5 on Rod Laver Arena after edging out the first set over the course of two hours. In the second set, she overcame an early break deficit. The 21-year-old won the match 6-4, 7-5 on Rod Laver Arena after edging out the first set over the course of two hours. In the second set, she overcame an early break deficit. They, according to Swiatek, who only broke once in the first 19 games of the match—at 5-4 in the first set—was to find a way into the German’s immovable service games. Swiatek then reeled off the final four games in a row to win the match.
“Honestly I really wanted to be focused on myself, because I know that Jule can really serve amazing. At the US Open, she was also using the fast conditions that we played in and she was really putting pressure on me. This time I just wanted to, not really think about that, but think about, what can I do to push her back.”
SWIATEK EXPLAINED IN HER POST-MATCH INTERVIEW.
Niemeier took Swiatek to three sets in their lone previous meeting at the US Open the year before. But the eventual champion came back to win in the fourth round 2-6, 6-4, 6-0. Similar trends were evident in Melbourne. Where the German won 71% of her points after serving first and tallied three aces.
Nevertheless, Swiatek shown patience as Niemeier took chances from the baseline. While playing far better than her No. 69 rating during tumultuous spells. The world number one made 20 winners compared to 28 unforced errors. She also saved two of the three break points she faced, demonstrating her mental toughness in crucial situations.
“It’s always easier to focus on yourself,” Swiatek said. “I’m pretty happy that I got through this match, because first rounds are always tricky and with an opener like Jule it’s even more tricky.”
Swiatek will next face Colombia’s Camila Osorio in the second round on Wednesday. Also Read: Nick Kyrgios Withdraws from Australian Open
Iga Stressed on Unwanted Pressure People Put on Her Due to Her Ranking
Iga Swiatek commented on the strain of entering competitions as the World No. 1 and top seed on Monday after triumphing in her first-round match at the 2024 Australian Open. She blasted those who consistently anticipate her victory without appreciating how challenging it is. Swiatek added that the onlookers treated her less like a human and more like a robot.
“For sure, I feel like people are really focused on the numbers and on the statistics,” Swiatek said. “I feel like they’re looking at those matches, like, not seeing that we are still people, and we have to really fight for it, you know? They’re just like, I don’t know, ‘you have more skills and you’re using them, so you’re going to win’. They’re just looking at numbers.”
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