Iga Swiatek Edges Alexandrova in Thrilling Korea Open Final
Iga Swiatek battles back from a set down to defeat Ekaterina Alexandrova 1-6, 7-6(3), 7-5 in the Korea Open final, securing her third title of the year.
“Hopefully, we're going to play more finals. It's always tough against you, so it's also entertaining...”
Iga Swiatek demonstrated remarkable resilience to overcome Ekaterina Alexandrova in the Korea Open final, winning 1-6, 7-6(3), 7-5. Despite struggling with double faults and wayward shots, Swiatek regrouped and outlasted her opponent in a thrilling match that spanned over two and a half hours.
The match had a rocky start for Swiatek, who was broken three times in the first set, allowing Alexandrova to take a commanding 6-1 lead. However, Swiatek adjusted her game plan and fought back tenaciously in the second set. Although Alexandrova had opportunities to close out the match, Swiatek forced a tiebreaker and capitalized on her chances, winning the set 7-6(3).
Swiatek's father, Tomasz, competed in rowing at the 1988 Seoul Olympics, and she dedicated her win to him, saying, “My dad couldn't win the Olympics, but at least I won this tournament. Hopefully, he's going to come next year to enjoy everything.” With this win, Swiatek solidifies her position as a top contender in women's tennis.
NEVER write off @iga_swiatek 👊
— wta (@WTA) September 21, 2025
The No.1 seed comes from a set down to win the title 1-6, 7-6, 7-5 in Seoul against Alexandrova! 🏆#KoreaOpen pic.twitter.com/F7VZj7C3hJ
Iga Swiatek's victory at the Korea Open marked her third trophy of the year, following her wins at Wimbledon and the Cincinnati Open. After a thrilling match against Ekaterina Alexandrova, Swiatek emerged victorious with a score of 1-6, 7-6(3), 7-5. Reflecting on her win, Swiatek humbly admitted, “Honestly, I don't know how I won it, because you were just playing great. I just tried to stay alive.”
Swiatek's comments highlight her resilience and determination on the court. Despite being down in the first set, she managed to regroup and find her rhythm, ultimately outlasting her opponent in a match that spanned over two and a half hours. The win not only showcases Swiatek's skill but also her ability to perform under pressure.
“Hopefully, we're going to play more finals. It's always tough against you, so it's also entertaining.”
NEVER write off @iga_swiatek 👊
— wta (@WTA) September 21, 2025
The No.1 seed comes from a set down to win the title 1-6, 7-6, 7-5 in Seoul against Alexandrova! 🏆#KoreaOpen pic.twitter.com/F7VZj7C3hJ
Iga Swiatek's Emotional Victory
Iga Swiatek's win at the Korea Open has brought her immense joy, partly due to her family history. Her father, Tomasz Swiatek, competed in rowing at the 1988 Seoul Olympics but didn't win a medal. Swiatek jokingly said her victory made up for her father's Olympic disappointment. “I'm happy that I could win here because of the family history, and my dad couldn't win the Olympics, but at least I won this tournament, so hopefully he's going to come here next year to enjoy everything,” she added, expressing her desire for her father to join her in Seoul next year.
This victory marks Swiatek's third title of the year, following her wins at Wimbledon and the Cincinnati Open. The Korea Open win holds special significance for Swiatek, given her father's past connection to Seoul. Swiatek's comments highlight the strong bond between her and her father, Tomasz, who has been instrumental in her tennis career.
Ekaterina Alexandrova, the 2022 Korea Open winner, dominated the first set against Iga Swiatek, breaking her serve three times to take a commanding 6-1 lead. This strong start gave Alexandrova a firm grip on the match, but Swiatek was far from defeated.
As the second set unfolded, Alexandrova continued to apply pressure, trading breaks with Swiatek in the early stages. She came close to sealing the win, taking a 30-15 lead at 6-5 and finding herself just two points away from victory. However, Swiatek refused to give up, forcing a tiebreaker that she ultimately won 7-3. This momentum shift set the stage for a thrilling final set.
Despite having Ekaterina Alexandrova on the ropes with a 6-5 lead and 30-15 in the second set, Swiatek managed to stave off defeat and force a tiebreaker. She seized the momentum in the tiebreaker, racing to a 3-0 lead before holding on to win it 7-3. This dramatic turnaround forced the match into a deciding third set.
The third set was a rollercoaster of emotions, with Swiatek serving three double faults in one game to gift Alexandrova a break. However, Swiatek quickly regained her composure, holding her serve and ramping up the intensity. She ultimately dictated the pace of the set, outplaying Alexandrova to claim the win.
Ekaterina Alexandrova's momentum slipped away as Iga Swiatek staged an impressive comeback. A deflated-looking Alexandrova watched in dismay as Swiatek hit a pinpoint forehand winner to seal the win. Despite her valiant effort, Alexandrova couldn't quite match Swiatek's level, ultimately falling short.
Reflecting on the match, Alexandrova praised her opponent's skill, saying, “She's such a great player and it's always super difficult to play against her, so I tried to do my best today. It wasn't enough, so maybe next time I will be a little bit better.” Alexandrova's comments highlight the respect she has for Swiatek's abilities and her determination to improve in future encounters.
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