Iga Swiatek

Iga Swiatek. Photo: Roland-Garros

Iga Swiatek braced for epic battle in Australian Open first round

Three-time Grand Slam winner Iga Swiatek expects Germany’s Jule Niemeier to give her another real test in Melbourne.

Iga Swiatek

Iga Swiatek. Photo: Roland-Garros

Three-time Grand Slam winner Iga Swiatek expects Germany’s Jule Niemeier to give her another real test in Melbourne.

Swiatek meets the big-serving German in the first round of the Ausgralian Open and recalled their intense battle at the US Open.

World No 1 recalls Flushing Meadows win

Swiatek rallied from a set down to claim a 2-6, 6-4, 6-0 over Niemeier in their Round of 16 match in New York last year.

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“You saw how intense that match was, how tough,” Swiatek told WTATOUR.com

“It’s not going to be easy. But on the other hand, any match at a Grand Slam is always more intense and more stressful than other tournaments. I’ll be ready for it.

“It’s nice also that we played not so long ago, so I can take a lot from that match. Now I know how her ball feels on the racquet. But she has the same.

“So we’ll see.” 

Iga Swiatek out to stay at the top

Iga Swiatek
Iga Swiatek defeated Naomi Osaka in straight sets to win the Miami Open on Saturday and extend her remarkable winning streak. Photo: Twitter @WTA_Insider

Swiatek hopes that being consistent will allow her to stay at the top for a long time.

“I would say the differences are going to be smaller,” Swiatek said. 

“I think it’s normal because when you get to the point where your ball is pretty fast, it’s not like you can make it even faster because you’re going to kind of lose control. There are kind of limits in terms of that.

“For me, it’s all about staying kind of solid and actually not changing a lot. It worked, so why would I change a lot?”

“[If you look at] the greatest players that are consistent throughout their whole careers, it’s not like Novak changed a lot in his game since a few years ago. I think it matters to be able to just be consistent with the best game you have.”

How to watch: Iga Swiatek vs Jule Niemeier

Swiatek and Niemeier will take to the Rod Laver Arena Court at 10:00 on Monday, 16 January 2023.