World No.1 seals first win of 2024 season
Iga Swiatek’s new reign as World No.1 has technically begun after hitting the front again at the WTA Finals, and she is through her opener at the 2024 United Cup, Tennis Up To Date reports.
Swiatek eased past Beatriz Haddad Maia with consummate ease despite being on paper a tough contest due to the latter being World No.11. But it ended up being an easy win 6-2, 6-2.
Swiatek d. Beatriz Haddad Maia 6-2 6-2 at United Cup
Iga starts the new season the same way she ended the last one…
Winning.
Iga has now won 24 of the last 25 sets she’s played.
✅12 match win streak
Making a statement. 🇵🇱❤️ pic.twitter.com/si9eo4QSp2
— The Tennis Letter (@TheTennisLetter) December 30, 2023
It was completed in just over an hour and 15 minutes and added the first point for Poland, with Hubert Hurkacz next to try and seal the opening win for the top seeds before a potential union in Mixed Doubles. He is facing Thiago Seyboth Wild, while Alexander Zverev, aiming to keep Germany’s hopes alive, is taking on Lorenzo Sonego for Italy.
“For now, let’s cheer for Hubi. Please cheer on mixed doubles because we don’t often play them. I’m pretty excited I can play today,” said Swiatek on potential mixed doubles.
“Playing with him is easy, you know, because I feel like he’s doing most of the job (laughs). But just being serious… I like playing mixed doubles. It’s such a challenge for me to play against guys. I practice with guys who are playing fast, so when I play right now, these couple of rallies against them, it’s just fascinating. I feel like I have nothing to lose.”
