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Iga Swiatek Sweeps Past Simona Halep in Straight Sets to Reach the Indian Wells Finals 2022
Iga Swiatek has been in a blazing run of form this season. She has been one of the most consistent players on the women’s circuit lately. Further, Swiatek has maintained the momentum at the 2022 BNP Paribas Open in Indian Wells as she stormed into the finals. Earlier today, she had a thumping win over the former World Number 1, Simona Halep, defeating the Romanian in straight sets 7-6 (6), 6-4.
What went wrong for Simona Halep?
It was going to be a mouth-watering contest between the experienced Halep and in-form Swiatek. The match lived up to its billing as the two players played some exhilarating tennis. It was a topsy-turvy first set, to begin with, lasting just over an hour.
The two players gauged each other’s game early on and tried to hold their serves. However, Swiatek raced to a 4-2 lead in the first set, breaking Halep’s serve in the sixth game. Halep broke back immediately and won the next three games to take the lead in the opening set. Further, she couldn’t close down the first set, as Swiatek broke Halep’s serve while she was serving for the set. The set eventually proceeded into the tie-breaker, with the Polish holding her nerves to win the first set.
A roller coaster first set @iga_swiatek claims the opening set, 7-6(6)!#IndianWells pic.twitter.com/m49DX02KuW
— wta (@WTA) March 19, 2022
The second set proceeded on a similar line as the first set. Both the players found it difficult to hold their serves in challenging conditions in Indian Wells. After Swiatek broke Halep’s serve in the third game of the second set, the latter won the next three games to swing the momentum in her favor. However, Swiatek came back strongly to win the next four games as she won the second set 6-4.
Mar 16, 2022; Indian Wells, CA, USA; Simona Halep (ROM) hits a shot as she defeats Petra Martic (CRO) in her quarterfinal match at the BNP Paribas Open at the Indian Wells Tennis Garden. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports
Iga Swiatek’s 2022 season
Except for Dubai, Swiatek has reached at least the semifinals of every tournament she has played this year. She began this season at the Adelaide International 1 tournament. However, she lost out to World Number 1, Ashleigh Barty, in the semifinals. Further, in the Australian Open, she had another last-four finish. Danielle Collins, who finished as the runners-up in that tournament, defeated Swiatek in the semifinals.
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Her next tournament was the Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships. In the only disappointing result this year, Swiatek suffered a shock defeat in the second round against Jelena Ostapenko. However, the Polish came back strongly to win the Qatar TotalEnergies Open.
With her win over Halep earlier today, Swiatek will be booming with confidence as she aims to win back-to-back titles. In the summit clash, she will take on the winner of the other semifinal between Paula Badosa and Maria Sakkari. Who will claim the Indian Wells title this year? Let us know your views in the comments below.
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