Stuttgart Open: Swiatek wins title for the fourth time in a row

By defeating Aryna Sabalenka in the Stuttgart Open final, Iga Swiatek earned her fourth consecutive title and extended her winning streak to 23 matches.

Against her fourth-ranked opponent, the Polish world number one won 6-2 6-2.

Swiatek now has four clay-court titles to go along with victories at Doha, Indian Wells, and Miami, putting her in a strong position to win the French Open next month.

The 20-year-old hasn’t lost since the Dubai Tennis Championships in February, when she won at Roland Garros in 2020.

Swiatek had to save a break point in the first game, but she broke back with a break of her own the next game to take the first set in 37 minutes.

She broke twice more in the final set while maintaining her own serve before clinching victory on her third match point.

Following the retirement of Australian Ashleigh Barty, Swiatek became the world number one last month.

Swiatek’s record of winning 28 sets in a row came to an end when she was put to a decider by Liudmila Samsonova in the Stuttgart semi-final on Saturday, but her overwhelming triumph against Belarusian Sabalenka demonstrated why she remains the leading force in the women’s game.

On May 22, Swiatek will compete in the French Open, where she will attempt to win her second Grand Slam championship.