Svyatek defends Italian Open title with 28th consecutive victory – NBC10 Philadelphia

Yoga Svyatek goes to the French Open with a big run.

The top-ranked Saint beat Ons Jaber 6-2, 6-2 to defend his Italian Open title on Sunday and extend your winning streak up to 28 matches.

Sviatek was the unexpected champion at the French Open in 2020, when she took 54th place in the rankings. The now 20-year-old Polish player is a favorite to add a second title to Roland Garros when the second Grand Slam tournament of the year kicks off next Sunday.

“I already know I’ve done some great things this season, so I feel I can play freely,” said Sviatek. “Sure, the expectations around are higher, but I’ve never had a problem trimming and not thinking about it. I am also gaining in this experience. “

Sviatek won five titles in a row during his race.

“All these tournaments I’ve won now look pretty surreal,” she said.

Gill was in his series with 11 wins in a row, reaching the final after her title at the Madrid Open last week, but Tunisia’s cunning play in throws and spins proved incomparable to the rapid movement and accurate shots of the Saints.

“The yoke is number 1 for good reason,” Jaber said. “She’s really leading here on tour. I personally have something to learn from her. “

The saint took control from the start, breaking Jaber’s serve in the second game of the match with a mix of sophistication and power.

Svyatek won one point in this second game with a win in front of her forehead after pulling Jaber forward with a well-placed drop shot, and then in her first break point she made a huge blow on the second inning, which Jaber could not control.

The saint also retained her composure when she retained four break points at the deciding point at the end of the second set, slipping to reach the drop shot and then responding with a magnificent volley from the backhand that won the last break point after a 19-shot rally.

“I felt I was trying my best to get her to visit every corner of the court,” Jaber said. “But she was ready for it.”

When Jaber with the backhand hit the net to finish it off, Svetek sank down on the clay and covered her face with her hands as she leaned over.

The last player to win more in a row was Justin Henin, who won 32 consecutive wins between 2007 and 2008. The longest series of all time belongs to Martina Navratilova, who had 74 series in 1984.

Sviatok’s last defeat was in mid-February in Dubai against Elena Astapenko in a tie-break in the third set. She has won 42 of the last 43 sets in which she has participated.

Later on the red clay court at Foro Italico Novak Djokovic played with Stefanos Tsitsipas in the men’s final.

During the women’s final, a fan raised a sign reading “Throw politics out of tennis” – a clear reference to Wimbledon’s decision to ban players from Russia and Belarus because of the war in Ukraine.

The saint played with a ribbon attached to her hat with the color of the flag of Ukraine.