Iga Swiatek issues brutally honest statement on turbulent match versus Linda Noskova

Iga Swiatek acknowledged the Miami Open match in opposition to Linda Noskova was filled with ups and downs and admitted there have been moments when she felt there was a turning level however then one thing would occur once more and make it sophisticated. 

Swiatek, seeded at No. 1, entered her Miami match in opposition to world No. 31 Noskova as the large favourite regardless of shedding to the 19-year-old Czech on the Australian Open this 12 months. Ultimately, Swiatek did beat Noskova however she was made to work extraordinarily exhausting earlier than sealing a 6-7 (7) 6-4 6-4 third-round win. 

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In all three units, Swiatek had large leads however Noskova would come again each time. 

“Nicely, for certain it wasn’t just like the match went a method from the start until the top. I do know that I may keep extra according to my stage. Typically now we have matches like that and we have to determine learn how to shut them anyway,” Swiatek stated.

“I am joyful that I am via to the subsequent spherical. Yeah, for certain it wasn’t straightforward. There have been simply many ups and downs. Yeah, I am joyful that after first set I had higher thought on what to do, and I simply tried to try this in essential moments.”

Swiatek on if she felt there was a turning level 

Within the first set, Swiatek led 5-2 and all the pieces was pointing towards the Pole simply profitable the primary set. However then, Noskova received the break again – saved a set level within the tie-break – and realized her second set level to go up by a set. 

Down by a set, Swiatek bounced again by opening a dominant 5-1 second-set lead. However then, Swiatek didn’t serve out for the set within the eighth sport. Then, Swiatek discovered herself on the verge of additionally failing to serve out for the set in her second try however fortunately she managed to save lots of a break level within the tenth sport earlier than changing her first set level.

Within the decider, Swiatek was serving for the match at 5-4 when Noskova earned three consecutive break factors – these had been the Czech’s first break level within the set. Fortunately for Swiatek, she dug herself out of that state of affairs and closed out the match. 

When requested if she felt there was a turning level through the match, Swiatek candidly stated there have been many really.

“Nicely, I did, after which it turned once more (smiling),” Swiatek answered.

“As I stated firstly, loads of ups and downs. Normally I can preserve my depth and preserve my stage all through the entire match, but it surely’s not going to return each day.

“Yeah, I felt some moments like that. However I do know that Linda is the type of participant that may simply actually go for it. She’s fairly highly effective then.

“Sorry, I do not know learn how to reply that extra.”

Swiatek hopes to shortly transfer on from what occurred in opposition to Noskova

Right now, Swiatek will return to the courtroom for her Miami round-of-16 match in opposition to No. 14 seed Ekaterina Alexandrova, who defeated Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova 6-4 3-6 6-3. 

When Swiatek, 22, and 29-year-old Alexandrova meet, will probably be their fifth assembly and likewise their second assembly in 2024. Of their final assembly – which got here in February – Swiatek crushed Alexandrova 6-1 6-4 en path to profitable a WTA 1000 match in Doha. 

In terms of their first three conferences, Alexandrova defeated Swiatek once they met at a WTA match in Melbourne in 2021. The next 12 months, Swiatek received her revenge over Alexandrova by beating the Russian in Cincinnati and the Pole additionally claimed a win of their 2023 Madrid match. 

After a turbulent match in opposition to Noskova, Swiatek was requested if she would attempt to “mull it over” earlier than dealing with Alexandrova. The 22-year-old Pole instructed that she’s going to simply “attempt to let it go” and added that she is optimistic that the identical will not occur in opposition to Alexandrova.

“No, there is no sense for me to try this. You understand that I am an over-thinker. Normally the perfect tactic for me is to let it go,” Swiatek stated.

“Yeah, as I stated, I wish to use this expertise. I am fairly certain tomorrow I am going to try this if all the pieces goes nicely. Normally additionally these type of issues simply settle in my head on their very own. I am simply going to belief that it’ll be like that once more.

“For certain I do know tomorrow what to concentrate on a bit bit extra, and I am going to try this through the match. Proper now it would not make sense to overanalyze it.”

If Swiatek beats Alexandrova and reaches the quarterfinal, she will probably be three wins away from amassing her second Miami title.