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Iga Swiatek Wimbledon 2021
Roland Garros, Tennis News, WTA Tennis Players

‘I am happy times have changed,’ Swiatek wins first match at Indian Wells


Polish star Iga Swiatek cruised to victory in her first main-draw appearance at Indian Wells after losing in qualifying two years ago. 

More than 30 months after her qualifying loss at Indian Wells, Swiatek is now the second seed at the event and a Grand Slam champion after surging through the field at Roland Garros in 2020.

In her opener in California, the 20-year-old needed just 71 minutes to dispatch Petra Martic 6-1, 6-3 to reach the third round.

The Pole, who won nine of the first 10 games in the match, says she is playing with far more confidence than she did two years ago.

“In 2019, I was not playing that confident, but I am really happy that times have changed now,” said Swiatek.

“There are many places I have not played because I could not finish my season in 2019, and last year, we only had six tournaments, so it’s pretty exciting.

“I think I gave a lot of power to my shots, and that was the key. She can play great topspin, and as soon as she’s going to get good pace, she can do that.

“This surface is slow, so the topspin is jumping high. I just wanted to be aggressive from the beginning and not let her play her game.”

The Pole will now face Veronika Kudermetova in the third round before a possible meeting with fellow French Open winner Jelena Ostapenko.


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Tim Farthing, Tennishead Editorial Director & Owner, has been a huge tennis fan his whole life. He's a tennis journalist and entrepreneur as well as playing tennis to a national standard. He also helps manage his local club and volunteers for his local tennis organisation. He's a specialist in content about the administration of professional tennis and tennis coaching for all levels.