Barbora Krejcikova’s Dubai WTA Title Run: A Look Back
Barbora Krejcikova made history on Saturday when she defeated Iga Swiatek to claim the Dubai WTA title. Not only did she become the fourth woman this century to defeat the top three players in the world at the same tournament, but Krejcikova also became the first woman to save match points to defeat the top three players in the world at the same tournament.
Krejcikova, who is currently ranked 30th in the world, had a remarkable run to the title. In the second round, she saved four match points against Daria Kasatkina, who is ranked 8th in the world. In the quarterfinals, she rallied back from 0-6, 1-3 down to defeat Aryna Sabalenka and in the semifinals, she defeated Jessica Pegula.
Krejcikova’s victory over Swiatek in the one hour and 31 minutes final was her sixth career title, and the Czech will move up to 16th in the rankings on Monday. With the win, Krejcikova snapped Swiatek’s six-match, 12-set winning streak and became just the fourth woman this century to defeat the top three players in the world at the same tournament.
In the first set, Krejcikova earned an opening service break that helped her to a 3-1 advantage. Swiatek retaliated, getting back on level terms, but her break for three-all kicked off a series of four consecutive games where neither player managed to hold serve. Krejcikova finally bucked the trend, taking the last eight straight points of the set to claim a 6-4 lead in 44 minutes.
Krejcikova continued her momentum in the second set, taking a 4-2 lead. That cushion was all the 27-year-old needed to close out a remarkable victory and clinch the sixth singles title of her career.
Swiatek lost a WTA 1000 final for the first time in her career. She had won all five she previously contested coming in. The 21-year-old Pole won Doha last week and arrived in Saturday’s final having dropped just 14 games in six matches in the Gulf.
Krejcikova’s win over Swiatek was a testament to her hard work and determination. She is now 2-2 head-to-head in career meetings with Swiatek, and is poised to continue her successful run in the WTA.
