by World Number one Iga Swiatek claimed her first trophy of the year after beating number two seed Jessica Pegula in straight sets, 6-3, 6-0. The two athletes displayed some brilliant tennis with lengthy rallies that had the crowd going. The Polish star narrowly took the first set, but her intensity in the second set was too much to handle despite Pegula’s attempt to put up a mean challenge.
A Tight First Set
Swiatek won the toss and chose to serve as she most often does. Her hold was never in doubt as she took the game to love. She then immediately broke Pegula’s serve despite great athleticism by Pegula to stay in points. However, the American is a great fighter and broke straight back in the next match, taking the second break point by delivering a mean return down the line that Swiatek could not get to in time.
Pegula’s serve came under threat again as Swiatek led the games 3-2. The Polish star took hold of rallies where she could, but Pegula kept herself on the move and varied shots to take off power from Iga’s forehand. Though the world number one got herself a deuce, it was Pegula who took the first advantage in the match. However, Swiatek found a way to stay in the game and carried that momentum to break Pegula’s serve, getting a 4-2 lead as Pegula drove her forehand too wide.
The number two seed put herself in the right spot to convincingly break Iga’s serve in the next match. At this point Pegula was doing well to open wide angles, forcing the world number one to stretch producing some errors to aid the American’s cause. However, Swiatek returned the favour in the next match, breaking Pegula’s serve once again and then wrapped the first set by holding the game to love.
Dominant Scoreline to Wrap the Title
Though the Polish player took the second set 6-0, the games provided more lengthy rallies and some brilliant points from both players. Pegula delivered some brilliant cross-court backhands and displayed her awareness to use the wind to aid a drop shot that was tight to the tram line. However, the American also returned too many shots centrally, which gave Swiatek time to pick her corners and run her opponent to the ground.
From then the errors started piling from Pegula as Swiatek upped the intensity of her game. The number one seed started registering break after break and there was no stopping her. Despite the scoreline, Pegula stayed true to her spirit and saved 3 championship points. The world number one ultimately took her fourth shot at the championship by delivering a bullet of a body serve that gave Pegula no chance.
Mixed Emotions for Pegula in Doha
The American did well to stay in rallies longer than most opponents against the Polish player, however will be disappointed at her second serve percentage. It is an area that Iga Swiatek attacked and the tactic worked well for her.
Pegula will no doubt be disappointed not to take more from the match. However, the American comes away from Doha with a trophy nonetheless as she defended her doubles trophy together with compatriot Coco Gauff. She will now set her sights on the next tournament, WTA 1000 in Dubai.
Swiatek Gets Going in 2023
The Polish star put the disappointment of the Australian Open behind her and landed in Doha with a determination to defend her title. There was little that anyone could do to stop her as she pummeled opponent after opponent to get to the final.
She did not drop a set throughout the tournament and blocked all her opponents from getting on the scoreboard in at least one of the sets. The world number one was perhaps fresher than Pegula having not had to play the quarter-final against Bencic due to the Swiss dropping out of the tournament. However, Swiatek’s dominance over the past year puts little doubt in her physicality.
There is no rest for the wicked, and things only get more exciting as the top-ranked players descend to Dubai for the first WTA 1000 event of the year, which starts tomorrow 19th February.
Photo: Getty Images
