Iga Swiatek went on to change into one of many biggest gamers of her period, defeating Jessica Pegula 6-1, 6-0 to win the WTA Finals for the primary time in her younger profession.
Along with her sixth title of the season and seventeenth general, the 22-year-old will finish 2023 in first place for the second season in a row, overtaking Aryna Sabalenka together with her win in Cancun. Subsequent week will probably be ranked 76th at primary, a tally that locations it tenth on the listing of all-time primary weeks.
Pegula, seeded fifth, reached her first WTA Finals last in type, defeating all 4 opponents en route. Her 2-1 file in opposition to Swiatek this yr confirmed her progress. When Swiatek is in full move, nearly nobody can dwell together with her.
From the start, the Polish participant defeated Pegula together with her violent and heavy blows, and her harsh forehand that dispersed the American’s protection. Swiatek’s better velocity and athleticism gave her the benefit on each level down the stretch and she or he got here again in spectacular vogue, shaking off Pegula’s serve.
As Pegula tried to discover a resolution in opposition to Swiatek’s stifling superiority, she took increasingly dangers, her errors piled up and the end line got here shortly. It is unbelievable how Swiatek has destroyed lots of the greatest gamers on the planet over the previous two years, typically saving her lopsided victories for the finals. Even throughout among the finest weeks of her profession, Pegula was not exempt.
Having misplaced simply 20 video games in her 5 matches over the previous week, Swiatek’s run to the title is essentially the most dominant within the historical past of the WTA Finals. Serena Williams beforehand held the file by shedding 32 matches throughout her victory in 2012.
At instances, this yr has been very troublesome for Swiatek as she tries to comply with by means of on her superb 2022 season and all of the pressures that include it. After shedding her No. 1 rating with a fourth-round loss to Jelena Ostapenko on the US Open final September, she admitted that she struggled to play freely.
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After overcoming these challenges, Swiatek completed the season in a stronger place. Nonetheless, she completed with a formidable 68-11 file, six titles together with her fourth French Open title and now the WTA Finals, and together with her standing as the most effective participant on the planet restored past doubt.
