Iga Swiatek defended her women’s title at the Italian Open by defeating Ons Jabeur 6-2, 6-2 and, in the process, extended her amazing win streak to 28 matches.
Swiatek took over as world No. 1 by default with the retirement of the dominant Ash Barty in March and is now seen as just as dominant the Australian was. Swiatek, who was a surprise winner at the French Open in 2020 when she was ranked No. 54, is now the solid favorite to win at Roland Garros for a second time.
“I already know that I did some great stuff this season, so I feel like I can just play freely,” said the 20-year-old Swiatek. “For sure the expectations around are higher, but I never had a problem to cut it off and not to think about it. Also I’m gaining experience at that.”
Swiatek has now won five straight titles during her win streak, including the “Sunshine Double” in the United States at Indian Wells and Miami.
“All these tournaments that I’ve won seem pretty surreal right now,” she said.
Jabeur was on a streak of her own with 11 consecutive wins entering the final after her Madrid Open title last week. However, Swiatek proved too powerful for the Tunisian.
“Iga is the No. 1 for a reason,” Jabeur said. “She’s really the leader here on tour. I personally have a lot to learn from her.”
The last player to win more consecutive matches was Justine Henin, who won 32 straight over 2007 and 2008. The all-time longest streak in the “Open Era” belongs to Martina Navratilova, who had a run of 74 straight wins in 1984.
Swiatek last lost in mid-February in Dubai to Jelena Ostapenko in a third-set tiebreaker. She has won 42 of the last 43 sets she’s played.
