Swiatek loses first final of 2022 as Krejcikova plays superb tennis to stun her in a thriller
WTA
Iga Swiatek was stunned in the 2022 Ostrava Open final by an incredibly inspired Barbora Krejcikova.
The tournament took place in Ostrava, Czech Republic, which is only a few minutes away from the border with Poland. Therefore, during the final match between Iga Swiatek and Barbora Krejcikova, there was no shortage of loud applause and support.
After winning last year's Roland Garros, Krejcikova didn't have the best season, but in the last two WTA events, she showed her qualities. First, she triumphed in Tallinn, and then, she moved to her home country to compete at the 2022 Ostrava Open, where she met the World No. 1 player in the final.
Both players entered the final match with a very good winning streak as the Polish player won 10 previous matches while her opponent won eight matches in a row.
In the first set, Swiatek already had a 5-1 lead and looked to finish it quickly, but supported by a home crowd, Krejcikova fought back and could even go a break up.
However, she couldn't convert her break point chance, and after an hour and 13 minutes, the World No. 1 player won the first set 7-5.
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After players traded breaks in the second set, it had to be decided in a tie-break. Swiatek got only two points away from winning in the twelfth game, but she couldn't get across the finish line.
Krejcikova won the tie-break 7-4 and forced the third set. After seven solid service games, the Czech player broke her opponent's serve to love before winning the longest game of the match and sealing the champion's trophy with a 5-7, 7-6(4), 6-3 win.
Both players hit more winners than unforced errors, so the quality of this match is obvious also from this stat. While the young Pole hit 42 winners and only 30 unforced errors, her Czech opponent hit 44 winners and made 41 unforced errors.
