'Like Novak Djokovic and Rafael Nadal' – Iga Swiatek consistency at Australian Open impresses Mats Wilander
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Updated 20/01/2023 at 19:03 GMT
Iga Swiatek is displaying consistency that few tennis players have been able to produce, with Mats Wilander likening her dominance against lesser opponents to that of Novak Djokovic and Rafael Nadal in their pomp. Swiatek will face Elena Rybakina in the fourth round at the 2023 Australian Open on Sunday after cruising through her latest match in just 55 minutes.
'If you don’t hit the ball hard, you cannot beat Swiatek' - Wilander
Iga Swiatek has become so consistent that there are certain players on the WTA Tour she will never lose to, according to Eurosport expert Mats Wilander.
The top seed needed only 55 minutes to reach the fourth round at the 2023 Australian Open with a 6-1 6-0 demolition of Cristiana Bucsa. It was her 12th bagel set at a Grand Slam since 2021.
The three-time major champion is the runaway world No. 1 after a brilliant 12 months that saw her clinch titles at the French Open and US Open, with Wilander believing she is swatting lesser opponents aside with a ruthlessness to rival Novak Djokovic and Rafael Nadal.
“The most important part of Iga Swiatek is that she’s very reliable now,” said Wilander.
“There’s a certain style of player that cannot beat her. If you don’t hit the ball hard, you cannot beat Iga Swiatek. And it’s nearly becoming [like this] on every surface so that’s got to be such a good feeling.
“When you’ve watched someone like Novak Djokovic or Rafael Nadal over the years, you realise early in Grand Slams – ‘ok, this guy cannot be Rafa, there is no chance’.
“And I think Iga is setting that tone. Half of the locker room, or maybe even more, kind of think ‘well, I can’t do anything. I can’t hurt her!’"
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Australian Open highlights - Swiatek overcomes Bucsa at Melbourne Park
Wilander continued that there were still players who can trouble Swiatek – including her next opponent, 22nd seed Elena Rybakina.
“There’s also a part of the locker room that think ‘I’ve got the game to maybe disturb her’,” said Wilander.
“Elena Rybakina, Jessica Pegula… I think Iga Swiatek has done a great job, she’s very consistent, she’s not going to lose to players that can’t push her.”
Swiatek arrived in Melbourne with question marks over her form after a shock 6-2 6-2 defeat to Pegula at the United Cup.
But she has so far answered those doubts emphatically and is yet to drop a set as she targets a first major Down Under, and her fourth in total.
“These types of performances continue to send messages to the rest of the draw. She is absolutely on her game,” added Tim Henman.
“At the United Cup, she had a bit of wobble in losing to Pegula, but now she’s in Melbourne you feel she’s finding her range and form.
“It [winning easy] also conserves energy. She wants to go through to the final and win this event, and when you’re coming through matches like that it can only be a good thing.”
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