Iga Swiatek Progresses To Australian Open Second Round After Superb Match
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Iga Swiatek played outstandingly in the opening round of the Australian Open against Katerina Siniakova, who will rue being drawn against the Pole after playing so well throughout the match but still losing.
The four-time French Open champion is competing in her first Grand Slam since the details of her doping case became public. Swiatek tested positive for the prohibited substance trimetazidine from an out-of-competition sample submitted in August.
After being provisionally suspended on September 12th, Swiatek had it lifted on October 4th because she successfully proved that melatonin tablets purchased from a Polish drug manufacturer had been contaminated with trimetazidine.
Swiatek accepted a one-month suspension for the offense, most of which she served provisionally. That allowed her to return freely at the start of this season without any restrictions.
While the evidence clearly showed that Swiatek did not deliberately take the banned substance, some questioned why the case's process was kept private. She answered that concern at a press conference before the Australian Open began.
The world No. 2 started 2025 positively by playing the most pivotal role in Team Poland's reaching a second consecutive final at the United Cup, beating Elena Rybakina, Karolina Muchova, and Katie Boulter.
Team Poland finished as the runner-up once again, though. Swiatek was defeated by Coco Gauff in the final, but it was still a solid opening tournament of the season for the five-time Grand Slam champion.
Nine-time Grand Slam doubles champion Siniakova was not an easy first-round draw for Swiatek. Despite being ranked No. 50 in singles, the Czech has a formidable game when it clicks, including one of the best backhands on the WTA Tour.
Both women produced great tennis from the start of the match. The first five games went with serve, but the rallies were intense, and each player had to move all over the court to keep up with their opponent.
Swiatek got the first break to go 4-2 up and was 40-0 up in the next game. However, some trademark powerful backhands, including two incredible ones down the line, saw Siniakova immediately break back.
The underdog was frustrated that she could not build on that momentum. Swiatek hit some great returns in the next game before serving well to seal a high-quality opening set 6-3.
Losing the first set despite playing so well initially knocked the wind out of Siniakova's sails. Swiatek broke again in the opening game of the second set, and it seemed like she would take firm control of the match on the John Cain Arena after going 2-0 up.
Siniakova responded with incredible shot-making to win three games in a row. Swiatek was powerless in those games, and it seemed like the second set could be a tight battle.
However, after playing excellently for a set and a half, Siniakova's level finally dropped for a few games. The Czech's forehand broke down during crucial moments, allowing her illustrious opponent to go 5-3 up.
Siniakova held to make Swiatek serve out the match, but the former WTA world No. 1 made no mistake to clinch an entertaining 6-3, 6-4 victory.
