Former French Open champion Barbora Krejcikova has become the first player to defeat Iga Swiatek in a tournament final since 2019 after staging an epic comeback at the Ostrava Open.
The world No.23 battled back from a set down to prevail 5-7, 7-6(4), 6-3, over the world No.1 in a marathon encounter that lasted three hours and 16 minutes to claim her second title in as many weeks. She also won the Tallinn Open last week in Estonia.
After dropping the opening set, Krejcikova suffered another setback in the second when she failed to hold onto a break advantage. Nevertheless, the Czech held her nerve to prevail in the tiebreaker before coming through a high-quality third set which featured top tennis from both players.
After breaking Swiatek to love for a chance to serve for the title, Krejcikova endured an epic final game which saw six championship points come and go before she converted her seventh. Overall she hit 44 winners and won 70% of her first service points to claim only the fifth WTA singles trophy of her career.
“It was a great atmosphere. We have been trying to give you (the crowd) the best match that we can. I hope to see you more often,” an emotional Krejcikova said during the trophy ceremony.
“Iga, well done to you. The whole season you have been beating everybody on the Tour. I’m really sorry for today but I’m really glad that I beat you. It was a great match.’
“We gave our all and I am grateful that you’re playing. You’re such a star and have been doing an incredible job this season.”
Krejcikova’s triumph ends Swiatek’s near-perfect record in finals on the Tour. Before today, the Pole had won her last 10 tournament title matches without dropping a set. Five of those finals were at a WTA 1000 event and another three were at Grand Slams.
It was visible how much the loss meant to Swiatek who broke into tears shortly after her latest match in Ostrava concluded. Nevertheless, she paid tribute to her Czech rival who was sidelined from action for three months earlier this year due to an arm injury.
“You’re such an amazing player. I’m pretty happy that you’re coming back as you have such solid tennis. It is really amazing when you play on the WTA (Tour).” Swiatek said.
Swiatek has donated the prize money she has earned this week (roughly 58,000 Euros) to Polish non-profit organizations ahead of World Mental Health Day tomorrow.
It is the first time in her career that Krejcikova has beaten a reigning world No.1 player. Overall, she is 8-4 against top-30 opposition this season.
