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Iga Swiatek drama in Ostrava final leaves tennis world in disbelief

riley morgan
Sports Reporter
·4-min read
Iga Swiatek (pictured right) tearing up during the Ostrava Open and (pictured left) Swiatek and Barbora Krejcikova embrace after the final.
Iga Swiatek (pictured right) fell to Barbora Krejcikova in a thrilling final in the Agel Open at Ostravar Arena. (Getty Images)

World No.1 Iga Swiatek was fighting back tears after losing to home favourite Barbora Krejcikova at the Ostrava Open in one of the most thrilling matches all year on the WTA Tour.

The Czech followed up her Tallinn Open victory last week - her first title of the season - with an even more impressive 5-7, 7-6, 6-4 win in front of her home fans against Swiatek.

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Something had to give with Krejcikova going for a ninth straight victory and Swiatek herself looking for an 11th straight match win in a run which started at the US Open.

And things got off to a brilliant start for the Polish World No.1 as she raced to a 5-1 lead in the first set.

However, Krejcikova fought back before eventually losing the opener.

Krejcikova then rallied to level the match after watching four set points come and go in the tiebreak.

In the decider, neither could make the key move until the eighth game, with Krejcikova finally earning the break that put her within a game of winning.

But in an extraordinary last stand, Swiatek survived five championship points before her resistance was ultimately broken to deny her an eighth tournament win in 2022.

Following the match, Swiatek was seen in tears during her runners-up speech and later admitted she was 'too emotional' after a long tournament.

She also praised Krejcikova for her back-to-back tournament victories.

Tennis fans react to Iga Swiatek and Barbora Krejcikova final

Fans quickly reacted to the remarkable match in Ostrava and the sportsmanship on display between the two stars.

Many also praised Krejcikova for showing compassion towards Swiatek during a tough moment in their post-match interviews.

It was Krejcikova's first win against Swiatek, having lost their previous two meetings, as the seventh seed sealed a compelling victory.

Swiatek received plenty of cheers from the crowd having already announced her prize money would go to a charity for Mental Health Awareness week.

Krejcikova has a short turn around and will take part in the Winners Open Tuesday.

Swiatek is now expected to take part in the San Diego Open starting on Thursday.

with AAP

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