Swiatek Delighted with Performance as She Cruises into Last 16

Iga Swiatek produced a dominant display to reach the last 16 of the Australian Open, dedicating her victory to her grandfather and sending a warning to her rivals with her impressive performance.

Iga Swiatek delivered a dominant performance at the Australian Open on Saturday, defeating Emma Raducanu 6-1, 6-0 to advance to the last 16. The 23-year-old Pole, a five-time Grand Slam champion, expressed her satisfaction with her current form, stating, “I feel much more fresh than in the past two years.” Swiatek acknowledged that she had previously experienced fatigue and stress at the Australian Open, but this year she feels more focused and composed.

Swiatek's improved physical and mental state has allowed her to concentrate on refining her game rather than managing her energy levels. “Even though it's the beginning of the season, in the last two years I felt much more fatigue and also a bit more stress, I would say. This also comes together. So yeah, for sure I can now just focus on improving my game rather than, like, feeling better,” she explained. Swiatek's positive outlook is a testament to her resilience, particularly after serving a one-month doping ban late last year.

Following her victory over Raducanu, Swiatek will face lucky loser Eva Lys in the last 16. The Polish player is also in contention to regain her world number one ranking, which she lost to Aryna Sabalenka after the US Open. If Sabalenka fails to reach the semi-finals, Swiatek can reclaim the top spot. Despite the added pressure, Swiatek appears focused on her game, and her fresh and composed demeanor could prove to be a significant advantage in her pursuit of the Australian Open title.

On Saturday, Iga Swiatek sent a strong message to her competitors with a convincing win, and she was thrilled with her overall performance. Reflecting on her victory, Swiatek said, “I kept my discipline from the beginning to the end, and even if sometimes I didn't play the way I wanted I immediately corrected it.” This mental toughness and ability to adjust her game allowed her to dominate her opponent.

Swiatek was particularly pleased with her shot-making, stating, “I had the opportunity to actually play the kind of shots that I often do in practice. Sometimes in matches, when I'm a little stressed, they come out differently.” However, on this occasion, Swiatek felt in control, saying, “Today, I just played intensely, I went after the ball, the ball listened to me. I played great.”

Swiatek dedicated her victory to her grandfather, finding personal significance in her performance. “Even though these are not final rounds of a tournament, I feel like I'm playing good,” Swiatek said, reflecting on her progress in the tournament. She added, “This tournament already has a nice story to it. I wanted to dedicate it to him.”