Swiatek bucks slow start, outlasts Alexandrova to capture Korean Open title

By Leobert Julian A. de la Peña

World No. 2 Iga Swiatek overcame a sluggish start and recovered in the last two sets to outduel Ekaterina Alexandrova, 1-6, 7-6, 7-5, and reign supreme in the Korean Open at the Seoul Olympic Park Tennis Center.

With the win, the Polish ace bounced back from a quarterfinal exit during the US Open and achieved a tennis milestone after raking in her 25th Women’s Tennis Association (WTA) championship title.

Out-aced 6-2, broken five times, and committing nine double faults—who would’ve thought the six-time Grand Slam queen could defy the odds to pull off the come-from-behind win?

With a combination of sheer focus and relentless drive to seek counters, Swiatek was able to crack the Alexandrova code when the second set kicked off, despite conceding the opener in frustrating fashion.

Swiatek wasn’t herself after committing a series of uncharacteristic serving errors that allowed Alexandrova to balloon her lead early in the first set.

Aside from her inefficient service display, Swiatek also fumbled some chances at the net, squandering three notable smashes that went wide.

As soon as Alexandrova held her final service possession, Swiatek found herself in another tight corner and needed an almost perfect closeout performance to slow down the rolling Russian star.

Swiatek began her redemption stride by opting to fire a more precise topspin serve that lessened her errors in her first service possessions.

With a more cautious approach, Swiatek began to regain her rhythm on the baseline after winning back-to-back long rallies, followed by a crucial break.

However, Alexandrova struck back to force a deciding tiebreaker, which Swiatek dominated with an all-around offensive fireworks display.

It was all that Swiatek needed.

Fewer errors on the serve and a heavier spin neutralized Alexandrova’s flat stroke power.

When the third set began, Swiatek knew the memo and gave Alexandrova the business.

Despite the Russian’s adjustment by targeting Swiatek’s backhand, the more experienced star picked her apart midway through the third, mixing up her offense with a balance of net attacks and baseline brilliance.

Unfortunately for Alexandrova, her flat power in the forehand stroke declined in the most crucial stretch of the third, letting her early 1-0 lead slip away to settle for second place in Korea.

“First of all, I want to congratulate Ekaterina for an amazing week and an amazing final,” said Swiatek after the massive title win.

“Honestly, I don’t know how I won it because you were playing great and I just tried to stay alive. Hopefully we’re going to play more finals because it’s always tough against you, but it’s also entertaining.”