Former world No 2 Barbora Krejcikova pulled off a miracle escape to go up by a double break in the second set of the Dubai final against Iga Swiatek. Leading 6-4 4-2 and having a break point on Swiatek’s serve, Krejcikova seemed to be on the ropes multiple times in the point.
In that point, Swiatek was being aggressive and hitting some of the shots near the line – but Krejcikova’s defense was astonishing. At the net, Swiatek ripped a backhand – Krejcikova reflectively reacted with her racket and the ball went just in.
As Swiatek stood at the net watching in disbelief and probably wondering if the ball would really land in, the commentator shouted: “It’s in!”
SHEEESH @BKrejcikova ð®ð¨
Point of the match ð#DDFTennis pic.twitter.com/lK1fI3Ijsu — wta (@WTA) February 25, 2023
Swiatek again loses to Krejcikova
In 2022, Swiatek was 7-of-7 in her finals played before Krejcikova defeated her in the Ostrava final.
In Dubai, Swiatek and Krejcikova again met in a WTA final. Again, Swiatek was the favorite to win but again it was Krejcikova who ended on the winning side. Prior to the Dubai final, Krejcikova sounded very confident, saying she knew how to play against Swiatek.
“It’s always very nice to play the best one in the world, and she’s the best one right now. She was the best one last year. She’s playing some great tennis so I’m really looking forward to play against her and see where my level is.
I think it’s going to be a great final,” Krejcikova said before the final. Krejcikova’s victory over Swiatek has an even bigger significance considering the Pole’s recent form. The week before Dubai, Swiatek won Doha by dropping a total of five games during the entire tournament.
Then in Dubai, Swiatek lost a total of nine games en route to reaching the final. Considering how well Swiatek was playing, some thought that Krejcikova’s chances were slim to none against the Pole but the Czech came out and handled the business exceptionally.
