Italian Open: Iga Swiatek beats Karolina Pliskova to win title
What's the story
Iga Swiatek brushed aside Karolina Pliskova 6-0, 6-0 in straight sets to win the Italian Open title on Sunday. The 19-year-old Grand Slam winner was at her absolute best, dominating the match against a higher-ranked Pliskova. Notably, she had won two matches in a day to reach the final here. For Pliskova, the finale was something to forget about. Here's more.
Wins
Swiatek had beaten Svitolina and Gauff on the same day
Swiatek's quarter-final match against two-time champion Elina Svitolina was postponed due to rain on Friday. But the 19-year-old sensation made short work of her opponent with a 6-2, 7-5 win to set up a semi-final clash with Coco Gauff. She then beat the 17-year-old Gauff 7-6 (7-3), 6-3 to reach the finale.
Twitter Post
Swiatek claims her first WTA 1000 title
INCREDIBLE.
— wta (@WTA) May 16, 2021
🇵🇱 @iga_swiatek claims her first WTA 1000 title with a flawless 6-0, 6-0 victory over Pliskova in Rome!#IBI21 pic.twitter.com/ilM8BSPTzY
Journey
Swiatek's journey in the Italian Open
15th seed Swiatek led against Alison Riske 5-4 in round of 64 before getting a walkover. Swiatek prevailed over Madison Keys 7-5, 6-1 next. In round of 16, she beat Barbora Krejcikova 3-6, 7-6, 7-5. Swiatek edged past Svitolina 6-2, 7-5 in the quarters. In the semis, she overcame Gauff 7-6, 6-3. And now, she defeated ninth seed Pliskova in the final.
Information
Swiatek claims these feats after Italian Open victory
With the Italian Open trophy, Swiatek has pocketed her first WTA 1000 title. Notably, this is her second title of the season. Swiatek, who is ranked 15th in the WTA Rankings, will move into the top 10 as well.
Do you know?
Fourth teenager to win a WTA 1000 event
Swiatek has become just the fourth teenager to win a WTA 1000 event. She follows the footsteps of Victoria Azarenka (Miami Open 2009), Belinda Bencic (Rogers Cup 2015), and Bianca Andreescu (Indian Wells and Rogers Cup 2019).
Twitter Post
In elite company!
The fourth teenager to win a WTA 1000 event 🌟
— wta (@WTA) May 16, 2021
Azarenka (2009 Miami)
Bencic (2015 Toronto)
Andreescu (2019 Indian Wells Toronto)
👉 SWIATEK (2021 Rome) @iga_swiatek | #IBI21 pic.twitter.com/ftJWw2kkHB
Titles
Reigning French Open champion Swiatek wins third WTA title
Polish teenager Swiatek is the reigning French Open champion. Notably, she took just 45 minutes to dispatch Pliskova just two weeks before she opens her title defence in Roland Garros. Swiatek pocketed her third WTA title after having also won the Adelaide International in January. The performance will serve her a lot of confidence ahead of the French Open 2021 season.