Such is the assurance with which Iga Swiatek has gone about the business of winning tennis matches over the past three months, it is easy to forget how far she has come in her short career, and how quickly she has done it.
Last season, when Swiatek wept uncontrollably into her towel after losing to Paula Badosa at the Olympics, it was a reminder of the unrelenting pressure the tour brings, not least for a former teenage French Open champion striving to live up to the expectations created by overnight success.
There were tears again on Sunday at the Foro Italico, where Swiatek swept to a 6-2, 6-2 victory against Ons Jabeur to complete the defence of her Italian Open title. This time, though, as the Polish world No 1 sunk to her knees, her head in her hands, her body heaving with each sob, it was indicative of just what it has taken for the 20-year-old to elevate herself to the position of pre-eminence first promised by that defining victory at Roland Garros 18 months ago.
It was a surprisingly emotional reaction. Few, after all, would have predicted anything other than a 28th successive match win for the defending champion. But this was her fifth successive title, following wins in Doha, Indian Wells, Miami and Stuttgart, and the mental and emotional demands of such a run are no less exacting than the physical ones. With her latest assignment complete, the pressure valve was released.
“It’s not something you can get used to,” said Swiatek of her extraordinary winning sequence. “Every match is tough. Even though it may seem easy, it’s never easy. It’s always a lot of pressure, always a lot of preparation. The minute we finish the match before, the next one is already starting in our heads.
“It’s pretty tough in these tournaments where you play day by day. I have emotional reactions, but this one was probably the most emotional after winning the title. I mean, why not? It’s like a week of tension and stress, finally letting go. For me, it’s OK.”
Since the turn of the century, only three other women have gone on a comparable tear. One is Serena Williams, with whom Swiatek has now drawn level on five successive titles. The others are Justine Henin and Venus Williams, whose haul of six consecutive trophies Swiatek will equal if she can win in Paris. Do not put it past her. The alacrity with which the Pole has embraced top-dog status since the unexpected retirement of Ashleigh Barty two months ago has been nothing short of remarkable. Only Bianca Andreescu has taken more than four games in a set off her in Rome, and she was served a second-set bagel for her troubles.
Jabeur, herself on an 11-match winning streak after claiming the biggest title of her career at last week’s Madrid Open, has performed some remarkable acts of escapology over the past few days, denying Daria Kasatkina a match point in the semi-finals and recovering from 6-1, 5-2 down against Maria Sakkari in the last eight. There was little prospect of a similar comeback here. Swiatek quickly established the upper hand, a majestic topspin lob and a crunching backhand return propelling her to an early break. The manner in which she raced through the first three games in just 12 minutes rekindled memories of last year’s final, in which Swiatek eviscerated Karolina Pliskova 6-0, 6-0.
Jabeur avoided that ignominy, temporarily stemming the tide with the help of the net cord after Swiatek had missed a point for a double break. But the Tunisian world No 6, denied time on the ball by her opponent’s relentless aggression and intensity, was unable to bring her trademark variety to bear. Jabeur needed two aces just to claim a second hold, and it was indicative of her inability to discomfit Swiatek that she did not create a single break point in the opening set.
That changed in the opening game of set two, but Jabeur’s failure to punish a short second serve saw the opportunity quickly snatched away, and when she went on to relinquish her own serve again in the next game, she shook her head in disbelief. Greater aggression was required, but it was not until Swiatek had moved a double break ahead – helped on her way by a magnificent sliding forehand that she angled away for a winner – that Jabeur finally summoned it. A crisp volley sealed a first break, and when she held to love for 2-4 amid a flurry of Swiatek errors, it seemed as though another miraculous fightback might be taking shape.
Now came the best game of the contest, as some audacious shot-making from Jabeur carried her to a 0-40 lead and Swiatek hit back with a display of verve, determination and sheer resilience that spoke volumes about the reasons for her recent dominance. A powerful baseline attack was concluded with a swingeing drive volley. An outrageous exchange of short angles ended with Swiatek, her court coverage a thing of wonder, rolling a precise winner up the line. On it went, a rifled backhand bringing the score back to deuce before a double fault produced a fourth break point. Again the Pole responded, following up some brilliant defensive play with a courageous drop volley on the stretch. Jabeur had thrown everything at Swiatek; it was not enough.
“I should have [gone] more for my shots,” said Jabeur. “I should have let go more my hands. She plays really well, really aggressive. Her ball is different from other players. I feel I should have believed more that I could win this match.
“The 4-2 game was, I think, the game of the match, to be honest with you. I felt like I was trying my best to make her visit all the corners of the court, but she was ready for that. Maybe I should have [gone] more aggressively on a few shots.
“She played unbelievable on the important points. That’s what makes Iga, Iga, you know.”