Iga Swiatek described how a stoppage earlier this season helped her handle a delay during her WTA Finals match against Caroline Garcia.
Swiatek and Garcia won their opening matches at the WTA Finals. The world No. 1 comfortably overcame the gritty and determined Daria Kasatkina by effectively using her greater firepower from the baseline.
Garcia began the WTA Finals just a few days after unexpectedly splitting from her coach, Bertrand Perret. Such a significant event happening so close to the tournament must have been a mental challenge for the Frenchwoman.
That made Garcia's performance against Coco Gauff even more impressive. She defeated the 18-year-old in straight sets. After being beaten by the two-time French Open women's doubles champion, Gauff discussed how hard she takes losses.
Swiatek and Garcia needed to manage an unexpected delay when a technical malfunction caused a stoppage in the opening sets. Whichever player came out of the blocks quicker after was likely to win the match.
This year's French Open and US Open champion regained her footing much faster than Garcia and cruised to a 6-3, 6-2 victory to make it two wins from two matches, adding to what has already been an incredible season for the Pole.
Speaking after the match, Swiatek said that a more protracted stoppage during a contest at the Miami Open this year helped her cope with the short break against Garcia in Fort Worth.
"I already had similar situations. If only in Miami there were fans in the stands who probably drank inappropriate drinks and disturbed a bit (laughs). Then I proved to myself that I can concentrate in such moments. Here the break was short, I could catch my breath and concentrate on the service."
Swiatek will have a chance to finish top of her group without losing a match if she overcome Coco Gauff, a player she has beaten four consecutive times.
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