World No. 1 Iga Swiatek overcame Bianca Andreescu to progress to the Round of 16 at the 2023 Indian Wells.
The Canadian broke early in the first set before Swiatek broke back twice and took the lead before sealing the first set. The Pole then broke in the opening game of the second set but Andreescu hit some powerful strokes to swing the set in her favor, leading 4-2.
The match appeared to be heading towards a third set, something of a rarity for Swiatek, who is yet to play a three-set match this year. She, however, brought her focus back into the game, eventually turning the match in her favor, 6-3, 7-6(1).
Sports journalist Juan Ignacio took to social media to express his admiration for both players giving their best in the thrilling encounter, particularly Swiatek’s “fighting spirit.”
“WHAT. A. MATCH. Exhausting to even watch. Best takeaway? Iga’s fighting spirit didn’t go anywhere, as many were afraid of after a couple of losses,” he said.
WHAT. A. MATCH. Exhausting to even watch. Best takeaway? Iga’s fighting spirit didn’t go anywhere, as many were afraid of after a couple of losses.
— JI (Juan Ignacio) (@juanignacio_ac) March 14, 2023
Tennis podcast host and blogger Owen Lewis opined that Andreescu is one of the few players to match the World No.1 in terms of “physical and mental fortitude” on-court.
“Hard to express how much physical and mental fortitude going toe-to-toe with someone like Iga (especially if you don’t have easy power in spades) requires. Andreescu is one of the very few who can do it,” he posted.
Hard to express how much physical and mental fortitude going toe-to-toe with someone like Iga (especially if you don’t have easy power in spades) requires. Andreescu is one of the very few who can do it.
— Owen (@tennisnation) March 14, 2023
Tennis fans were also quick to give their views on the contest. Here are a few of them:
And Bianca did get bolder as match progressed and it payed off. Let’s see how takes this going into Miami. Definitely a great prospect comparing to her recent form.
— JI (Juan Ignacio) (@juanignacio_ac) March 14, 2023
This tiebreak made me more hopeful about her clutch abilities 🙏🙏🙏
— George Aires (@GeorgeAires) March 14, 2023
Happy to see Iga fighting 🔥🙏.
— Tina (@Tina11201986) March 14, 2023
Though Bianca does have some raw power in her strokes when she’s on
— Tennis And Bagels Podcast OFFICIAL (@TennisAndBAGELS) March 14, 2023
Iga’s hit about 25 unforced errors this set so it’s hardly about going toe to toe with her
— Ryan (@tennistalkcox) March 14, 2023
Iga Swiatek to play Emma Raducanu in 2023 Indian Wells R16
Iga Swiatek will lock horns with Emma Raducanu in the Round of 16 at the 2023 Indian Wells on Wednesday, March 15.
The Briton will come into the match after overcoming her opponents Magda Linette and world No. 13 Beatriz Haddad Maia in the second and third rounds respectively.
In a post-match on-court interview, the defending champion sounded confident and prepared for the match against Raducanu.
“I’m pretty sure I’ll be ready tactically,” Swiatek said. “Honestly, my goal is to approach every match the same way. I’m pretty sure I got into the rhythm already, so I’m hoping I’m going to play better and better.”
Driving it home 👊
No.1 seed @iga_swiatek moves past Andreescu in a tight 6-3, 7-6(1) win!#TennisParadise pic.twitter.com/s9SfGzupLg
— wta (@WTA) March 14, 2023
Both players have met each other once on the court, in the quarterfinals of the 2022 Stuttgart Open, which Swiatek won.