Swiatek swings back into action in Warsaw

Iga Swiatek returned to the courts nearly four weeks after her Wimbledon third-round upset loss to win an all-Polish match-up in Warsaw.

The WTA event in the Polish capital marked the world No. 1’s return to clay, where she is on a 17-match win streak on the surface and stands 47-4 with six titles so far this season.

Swiatek beat countrywoman Magdalena Frech 6-1, 6-2 in the first round, taking just 75 minutes.

She was back on court for the first time since Wimbledon,where her 37-match win streak was ended by Alize Cornet at the All England Club.

“Playing in your hometown with all that crowd is pretty extraordinary,” the 20-year-old winner said. 

“I didn’t get a chance to play many tournaments in Poland so for sure I needed extra focus and determination to come here and stay in the zone and not let my head think about other stuff.

“I was solid today, Magda is not an easy opponent.”

The two-time Roland Garros winner faced a break point and claimed the opening set by winning the last five games before continuing her rout in the second. That pattern repeated in the second with another five-game sprint to wrap up victory.

“I had a break after Wimbledon but I pretty quickly forgot about it because I trained really hard,” Swiatek said..

“We had a small pre-season before this tournament. So physically I feel great.

“Mentally I had some challenges, like having that (Ukraine solidarity) exhibition match in Krakow, which was really emotional. 

“Mentally, it was crazy all that happened there.”