On Sunday, Iga Swiatek lifted her eighth title of 2022 and 11th overall as she defeated Croatia's Donna Vekic 6-3, 3-6, 6-0 in one hour and 47 minutes to clinch the inaugural edition of the San Diego Open.
It was the third meeting between the two players and the World No. 1 is now leading 3-0 in the head-to-head. The Pole also improved her win-loss record for the season to a dreamlike 64-8. On her way to glory, Swiatek also beat the likes of Qinwen Zheng, Coco Gauff, and Jessica Pegula.
Vekic, on the other hand, showed an extremely high level of perseverance throughout the week as she won her two qualifying matches before prevailing over players like fifth seed Maria Sakkari, Karolina Pliskova, third seed Aryna Sabalenka, and Danielle Collins.
There was a brief moment of controversy in the second set. When Vekic had her only break point of the match at 3-2, 15-40, both players played an astonishing point, which the 47th-ranked Croatian eventually won. After returning a shot at the net, Swiatek put both her hands in the air, compelling fans to think that she was trying to distract her opponent.
The stunt didn't go down well with the tennis faithful on Twitter, with fans demanding that any player indulging in such acts should be given warnings and even penalized.
"I really don’t care what Iga fans think, this is clear and blatant hindrance and is extremely poor gamesmanship. I don’t wanna hear any “but it’s not in the rules” excuse, bc even if it’s not, it’s literally waving arms to distract the opponent so they miss. Like just play tennis," a fan tweeted.
VenusGauff’s Baker’s Dozen 🥯 @VenusGauff wta @WTA
@DonnaVekic | #SanDiegoOpen omg omg 😮@DonnaVekic | #SanDiegoOpen https://t.co/AzkPYL95gG I really don’t care what Iga fans think, this is clear and blatant hindrance and is extremely poor gamesmanship. I don’t wanna hear any “but it’s not in the rules” excuse, bc even if it’s not, it’s literally waving arms to distract the opponent so they miss. Like just play tennis twitter.com/wta/status/158… I really don’t care what Iga fans think, this is clear and blatant hindrance and is extremely poor gamesmanship. I don’t wanna hear any “but it’s not in the rules” excuse, bc even if it’s not, it’s literally waving arms to distract the opponent so they miss. Like just play tennis twitter.com/wta/status/158…
"That’s hindrance and she should get warnings. It’s shameful cause she is a quality player and doesn’t need to attempt to distract opponents with antics," a user wrote.
Robespierre @brookeabeyer ” Like girl you don’t even need to do this lol Kyra @atpwtathottie Iga did the thing again.. Iga did the thing again.. https://t.co/90MNUYZKDD I gotta know, is this a deliberate tactic? Is it a move her coach came up with? Was this part of a strategy session? Was someone like “hey haha you know what would give us an edge?” Like girl you don’t even need to do this lol twitter.com/atpwtathottie/… I gotta know, is this a deliberate tactic? Is it a move her coach came up with? Was this part of a strategy session? Was someone like “hey haha you know what would give us an edge? 😏” Like girl you don’t even need to do this lol twitter.com/atpwtathottie/…
"Well I hope someone tells her something so she stops doing it because she is the one losing with that. Like the rival gets the point anyway except once. I really hope someone does tell her something," another tweet read.
Carla 🇦🇷🇵🇱 @CarliStechina @VenusGauff Well I hope someone tell her something so she stops doing it because she is the one losing with that.. like the rival gets the point anyway except once.. I really hope someone does tell her something @VenusGauff Well I hope someone tell her something so she stops doing it because she is the one losing with that.. like the rival gets the point anyway except once.. I really hope someone does tell her something
Here are a few more reactions:
Lisa Knott @chanel_glasses @VenusGauff I agree 1000%! I can't cheer for her since she did it the first time a few months ago. There's no need for it, you're not going to win every point. 🤔 @VenusGauff I agree 1000%! I can't cheer for her since she did it the first time a few months ago. There's no need for it, you're not going to win every point. 🤔👎
Phoenix #4InMelbourne @igacanu Kyra @atpwtathottie Iga did the thing again.. Iga did the thing again.. https://t.co/90MNUYZKDD umpires need to start doing their job so she stops doing this shit honestly twitter.com/atpwtathottie/… umpires need to start doing their job so she stops doing this shit honestly twitter.com/atpwtathottie/…
Dishon @kingdishon_ @atpwtathottie Don’t let me umpire an Iga match cause I’m giving warnings, deducting points, I’ll default the whole match if I need to @atpwtathottie Don’t let me umpire an Iga match cause I’m giving warnings, deducting points, I’ll default the whole match if I need to https://t.co/IggolCJN45
Josh Gross @josh3302 Kyra @atpwtathottie Iga did the thing again.. Iga did the thing again.. https://t.co/90MNUYZKDD I'm a fan of Iga, but they need to start calling a hinderance on her for stuff like this twitter.com/atpwtathottie/… I'm a fan of Iga, but they need to start calling a hinderance on her for stuff like this twitter.com/atpwtathottie/…
dk @krk73 @VenusGauff Swiatek is the best in the world; there is no doubt. And oddly enough, one of the biggest cheats on tour. Disgusting. @VenusGauff Swiatek is the best in the world; there is no doubt. And oddly enough, one of the biggest cheats on tour. Disgusting.
RicoG @AmazingRico87 @VenusGauff Wow I’m shocked she did and does that. That’s very beneath her. @VenusGauff Wow I’m shocked she did and does that. That’s very beneath her.
"We're going to meet each other many times, I'm looking forward to it" - Iga Swiatek to Donna Vekic
Iga Swiatek (L) and Donna Vekic
After winning the San Diego Open on Sunday, Iga Swiatek thanked her team and congratulated Donna Vekic in her on-court interview. The Pole also remarked that the two players were going to face each other multiple times in the future and that she was looking forward to it.
"I wanted to thank the crowd for coming and cheering for us because it's the end of the season and we all need your energy, so thanks guys," Iga Swiatek said. "And congrats to Donna again and her team. I think we're going to meet each other many times, so I'm looking forward to it. It's my first time in San Diego and I'm going to enjoy for the next few days, hopefully, on the beach and not on the tennis courts. Thank you to my team. Without you guys, I wouldn't be here."
Ania @eni_87ch Trophy ceremony in the style of @iga_swiatek Trophy ceremony in the style of @iga_swiatek 😂 https://t.co/Ve1JEJdLe9
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