Photo Source: TC
Iga Swiatek hasn’t won a title since she claimed her fourth Roland-Garros title last June.
If there was ever a time for the Polish juggernaut to return to her title-winning ways, it is now, in Europe, where she has dominated the tour over the last few seasons. Swiatek swept titles in Madrid, Rome and Roland-Garros in 2024, becoming the first woman to achieve that feat since Serena Williams in 2013, and on Saturday she took a step closer to what would be her seventh successful title defense with a 6-4, 6-2 victory over Czechia’s Linda Noskova. “I’m happy with my attitude and my focus today,” she said. “It wasn’t easy at the beginning.”
The 23-year-old World No.2 will face Russia’s Diana Shnaider in the round of 16 at Madrid.
Swiatek improved to 5-1 against Noskova with a solid performance in the Caja Majica. She came through a tense opening set that featured an early trade of breaks, eventually breaking critically for 4-3 and saving a break point to consolidate in the next game.
A break in the opening game of the second set gave Swiatek a lead she would never relinquish, as she cruised through the second set to book her 92nd career clay-court triumph, against just 12 losses.
Swiatek finished with 16 winners and converted all four of her break points.
“We kind of know each other’s game – I’m happy that I was more solid at the end,” Swiatek said.
Swiatek is 15-2 lifetime at Madrid, and 24-7 on the season.