By Richard Pagliaro | @Tennis_Now | Friday, March 21, 2025
Iga Swiatek saved a set point in the second set stopping Caroline Garcia 6-2, 7-5 to charge into the Miami Open third round.
Photo credit: Tony Chang/Chang Photography
Bending beams into the corners, Iga Swiatek made a successful start to the second half of the Sunshine Doubles.
Swiatek saved a set point in the second set stopping Caroline Garcia 6-2, 7-5 to charge into the Miami Open third round.
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It's a record result for Swiatek, who became the first woman to win 25 consecutive openers at WTA 1000 events since the format’s introduction in 2009.
"Well, for sure I started with big confidence," Swiatek told the media in Miami. "Second set I let Caro come back to the game a little bit.
"My energy level went down, so I just tried to pump myself up again and be more intense and more proactive. I'm happy that I did that at the end of the second set."
Continuing her quest for her first title since she won Roland Garros last June, Swiatek will face Elise Mertens for a spot in the round of 16.
The 27th-seeded Mertens defeated Peyton Stearns 6-4, 6-1.
The second-ranked Swiatek grounded Garcia for the second time this month following her 6-2, 6-0 sweep in the Indian Wells second round.
Today, Swiatek stormed through 10 straight points and powered to a 4-0 lead before Garcia gained any traction. A fine forehand drop volley winner helped Garcia hold for 2-5.
A ruthless Swiatek won three of the first eight games at love. Swiatek slammed an ace to seal the 29-minute opening set. Swiatek doubled Garcia's winner output (10 to 5) and committed just three unforced errors in the set.
When Swiatek broke to start the second set, she seemed on track for another blow-out win. Garcia had other ideas.
Former world No. 4 Garcia ran off three games in a row for a 3-1 lead.
The reigning Roland Garros champion was serving at 4-5 when she netted a forehand to face a set point. Garcia needed to make the Pole play, but she ballooned a backhand long on set point. Swiatek survived the stress and held for 5-all.
That stand sparked Swiatek, who roared back from 40-0 down in the 11th game to break for 6-5.
"The tactics was kind of the same, because our game styles are the same," Swiatek said. "But for sure the way you play changes a bit. Yeah, I mean, the ball bounces lower here, for sure, and the air also is not that dynamic. Yeah, I feel like I have to be ready for a little bit faster game and be even lower on my legs.
"But that's going to be the case against every player, not only Caro. But I wouldn't say there was much difference.
"The only difference is, yeah, I let her come back to the game in the second set a little bit."
A fired-up Swiatek surged through nine consecutive points to find the finish line. Swiatek slid an ace for match point and closed in 94 minutes on Garcia's final error.