'Vulnerable' Aus Open favourite's downfall nailed

1 year ago 52

Iga Swiatek whitethorn beryllium the world's champion successful women's tennis, but Australian large Wally Masur reckons the pridefulness of Poland is vulnerable.

The No.1 roseate to the apical spot aft Ash Barty's abrupt status successful 2022 pursuing her Australian Open triumph.

What followed was a ascendant spell for Swiatek that saw her spell connected a 37-match winning streak and stay astatine the apical of the heap for much than 40 weeks.

Swiatek is conscionable the 4th pistillate to walk much than 40 consecutive weeks astatine the apical successful their archetypal stint, aft Steffi Graf (186 weeks), Martina Hingis (80) and Serena Williams (57).

Last year's streak included expansive slam victories astatine Roland-Garros and the US Open successful a play wherever she besides claimed the Qatar Open, Indian Wells, Miami Open and Italian Open.

It isn't each positive, though, according to Masur, who remains "not wholly convinced" by Swiatek heading into the Australian Open.

"Iga Swiatek connected clay is by acold and distant the champion player," said Masur connected Stan Sport's Grand Slam Daily.

World no.1 trounced successful United Cup semi final

"A superb mover and she surely translates that question onto the hard court. She's truly hard to hurt. The much you propulsion her wide successful the tribunal the much she'll sting you. She's a phenomenal mover.

"But astatine the US Open, for me, watching – she's got a precise utmost grip connected the forehand. It was precarious.

"But determination was a full batch of women that couldn't rather find their champion tennis against her to instrumentality advantage, truthful Iga won the US Open, but I'm not convinced hard tribunal is needfully her surface.

"Recently, astatine the United Cup, she mislaid to Jess Pegula, who is simply a large hard-courter. Two and 2 (6-2, 6-2). Absolutely was troubled by the trajectory and the gait connected the hard courts.

"Now, she'll beryllium amended astatine the Australian Open, but I deliberation she's vulnerable. I deliberation Iga Swiatek is vulnerable. My favourite, but vulnerable."

The precocious crowned Polish Sports Personality of the Year heads into the Australian Open arsenic the bonafide favourite.

Her mentation hasn't been plain sailing, having withdrawn from the Adelaide International with a close enarthrosis injury.

The Australian Open volition get underway connected Monday.

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