As the stage is set for a riveting rematch at Indian Wells, Iga Swiatek, the Polish powerhouse, is preparing her strategy for facing her Chinese opponent, Zheng Qinwen. The preparation, she says, is rooted in a deep analysis of their previous encounters and understanding Zheng’s current form since their last face-off.
Swiatek, at 23, has a history of six victories over her 22-year-old adversary between mid-2022 and early 2024. However, the tables turned during the Paris Olympics semifinal, a match that still stings Swiatek. The Pole, who had been undefeated on the clay courts of Roland Garros since 2021, suffered a shocking defeat to Zheng. The Chinese contender beat Swiatek 6-2, 7-5, right in her stronghold.
Fast forward half a year, and the tennis titans are once again poised to cross swords, though this time on the hard courts of Indian Wells. During a recent press interaction, the five-time Grand Slam champion Swiatek shared her thoughts on the upcoming clash with the 2024 Paris Olympics gold medalist.
“Learning from our last match is crucial,” Swiatek stressed, adding that evaluating Zheng’s current form is equally important since they haven’t played against each other in a while.
As she gears up for the anticipated match, Swiatek’s performance at Indian Wells has been nothing short of spectacular. The former world No. 2 has lost a meager six games in her first three matches, dropping only two games in each.
When queried about the slow, bouncy conditions at Indian Wells, the defending champion admitted her fondness for the terrain. According to Swiatek, her return game is strong, and she continuously aims to exert pressure on her opponents. The conditions at Indian Wells, she believes, favor players who use spin effectively.
Despite her previous loss to Zheng, Swiatek’s current form puts her in pole position for the upcoming match. She’s a formidable contender and is expected to overcome her Chinese opponent, thereby securing her spot in the Indian Wells semifinal. The game, as they say, is on!