Barbora Krejcíková dominates Iga Swiatek in Dubai finale

Iga Swiatek’s improbable run following the Australian Open featured a stumble on Saturday as she lost in straight sets to Barbora Krejčíková in the final in Dubai.

Swiatek had run off a number of wins against top-tier opponents, dropping just 14 games through six matches. While Coco Gauff proved a more worthwhile opponent, Swiatek still won their semifinal matchup in straight sets. 

But on Saturday, Krejčíková came out firing on all cylinders, working up to a 3-1 lead before Swiatek found her groove and pulled even at 3-3. But Krejčíková continued to fight against Swiatek, breaking her for a second time and winning the first set 6-4. 

It was Swiatek’s first dropped set since the Australian Open. 

Krejčíková continued her dominance in the second set, overwhelming Swiatek in a 6-2 win to take the title in Dubai. It’s the Polish player’s first WTA 1000 title and her sixth WTA singles’ title.

SHEEESH @BKrejcikova 😮‍💨

Point of the match 👏#DDFTennis pic.twitter.com/lK1fI3Ijsu

— wta (@WTA) February 25, 2023

She’s also just the fifth female player to win against the top three seeds in a tournament in the last 40 years, following Aryna Sabalenka at the 2022 WTA Finals, Venus Williams at the 2008 WTA Finals, Serena Williams in Miami in 2002 and Steffi Graf at Roland Garros in 1999.

5 - Barbora Krejcikova is the 5th female player to win v #1, #2 and #3 in a tournament in the last 40 years after A. Sabalenka at the WTA Finals 2022, V. Williams at the WTA Finals 2008, S. Williams in Miami 2002 and S. Graf at the Roland Garros 1999. Collect.@WTA | #DDFTennis pic.twitter.com/QwrC0HMoqV

— OptaAce (@OptaAce) February 25, 2023

For Swiatek, it marks back-to-back losses against Krejčíková, after losing in the Ostrava Open final in three sets.