© Getty Images Sport – Clive Brunskill
Iga Swiatek issued a pretty funny answer when asked about Yulia Putintseva’s underarm serve attempt, saying that may be something that “they teach in Kazakhstan.”
On Tuesday evening in Indian Wells, world No. 1 Swiatek was taking on 79th-ranked Putintseva in the Indian Wells round-of-16.
With Swiatek up 6-1 2-0 and having three consecutive break points, Putintseva went for an underarm serve. While Swiatek caught the ball early and returned it for a clear winner, Putintseva’s serve was called out.
Underarm serve by Putintseva not suprising Iga pic.twitter.com/4W8y3xbdY1
— Ania (@eni_87ch) March 13, 2024
That actually threw off Swiatek a bit as Putintseva then won the next four points to save three consecutive break points and even give herself a break point. Still, the four-time Grand Slam champion won that game and ultimately managed to open a 3-0 second-set lead.
In the end, Swiatek managed to seal a 6-1 6-2 win over former world No. 27 Putintseva and reach the Indian Wells quarterfinal.
After the match, the 22-year-old Pole was asked if this was the first time a player pulling off an underarm serve on her.
“I don’t think so, honestly. Maybe they teach that in Kazakhstan. I don’t know, because Bublik does the same,” Swiatek answered.
“I don’t really care. Honestly, if the serve would be in, that would be my best return probably of the match (smiling). I was actually unhappy that it was out. But, I mean, I’m ready for anything that comes to me, so I don’t really care what’s going on on the other side of the net.”
Swiatek on keeping her focus after Putintseva’s underarm attempt
Although Swiatek didn’t allow Putintseva to complete a wild comeback in the third game when she pulled off an underarm serve, the world No. 1 looked like she was a bit distracted as the 29-year-old managed to get one break back in the fourth game. After losing one of her two breaks, Swiatek went up by a double-break again in the fifth game but Putintseva again reduced it to one break in the sixth game.
But Swiatek kept pressing Putintseva on the Kazakh’s serve and managed to get her fourth break of the set in the seventh game for a 5-2 lead. After getting broken in back-to-back games, the Pole held to her serve in the eighth game as she realized her first match point to complete a two-set win over Putintseva.
“Well, you know, I can only be responsible for what’s going on with me. I want to keep my standards high no matter what’s going on, and I think this match was, like, a test for my mental training that I did. I’m happy with the way I was focused and really just, I didn’t really care about what’s going on.
“You know, I’m prepared that, you know, many things can happen on court. So no point for me, like, to comment more. I’m just kind of focusing on myself.”
Swiatek on the Caroline Wozniacki matchup
On Thursday, fans in Indian Wells will have a chance to see two Grand Slam champions in action when Swiatek and 2018 Australian Open champion Wozniacki meet in the desert.
For Swiatek, 22, and 33-year-old Wozniacki this will be their second meeting and the first one in five years. In 2019 – the year when Swiatek was just starting on the Tour – she clinched one of her biggest wins when she defeated former world No. 1 Wozniacki 1-6 6-3 6-4 in the second round of a WTA 1000 tournament in Toronto.
Since then, Swiatek has won four Grand Slams and she is now widely recognized as the best player in the game. On the other side, Wozniacki was retired for three and a half years before un-retiring last August.
Ahead of her second meeting with Wozniacki, Swiatek said she knows some things about the Dane by watching her when she was growing up and added that her coach would prepare the tactics.
“Well, I know a lot from a fan perspective, because I was watching her when I was younger. She’s really, you know, consistent, solid, and you have to be patient playing against Caroline,” Swiatek said.
“But more tactical stuff, for sure, that my coach is going to prepare for me and we’re going to talk before the match.
“I honestly didn’t know I was going to play against Caro. I got to know in my postmatch interview. I don’t have anything ready yet, but for sure it’s going to be exciting and it’s going to tough, so I’ll be ready and I’ll do my best.”
After winning her first Indian Wells title in 2022 and reaching the semifinal last year, Swiatek is playing great again in the desert and has come close to winning it all again at the tournament.
