Iga Sviatek advanced to the second round of the Australian Open 2024, the leader of the WTA ranking, defeating Sofia Kenin (2020 Melbourne champion) in straight sets with a score of 7-6(2), 6-2.

Iga SvyatekPhoto: Jean Catuffe/Dppi/Zuma Press/Profimedia

Iga Sviatek defeated Sofia Kenin at Australian Open 2024

Athletes from Poland had a very difficult first set with the American Kenin. Iga twice led with a break, but each time came back and won the tiebreak with a score of 7-2.

Sviatek stepped up in the second set, served much better (he also served 5 aces) and won the match, 6-2.

The match lasted one hour and 51 minutes.

>> Australian Open 2024: Ana Bohdan in the second round of doubles

Video source: Eurosport

Know:

  • Sviatek and Kenin also met in the Roland Garros 2020 final, where the Pole won 6-4, 6-1.
  • Iga Sviatek is next up against Danielle Collins (2022 Australian Open finalist), after the American edged Angelique Kerber (returning to the track after becoming a mother) 6-2, 3-6, 6-1.
  • Collins did not have pleasant memories of her matches with Sviatek: she won only one game in two of the last three (6-1, 6-0 against the Poles).

Ashley Barty, the inspiration for Iga Svyatek

Sviatek spoke at the press conference about Ashley Barty and how she motivated her to become a better player. The Australian, a former WTA leader, retired from tennis at only 25 years old.

“I hope to see Barty soon and I hope to see her baby. In 2022, Ash changed my thinking. It was a breakthrough for me. I was 10 too, but I felt she had such great tennis…

Even though I knew she was going to play, I still had a hard time playing against her and winning points. She motivated me. It’s not the only reason, but I felt it was one of the reasons why I later became No. 1 in the world.

I felt like I had more variety. I started practicing things like that to be able to play against her. I am truly grateful for her. I don’t know if I would have become the first racket of the world if she was still playing. It was a great inspiration” – Iga Svyatek.

The 2024 Australian Open will be held from January 14 to 28. The reigning champions are Novak Djokovic and Aryna Sabalenko.