Mats Wilander believes Iga Swiatek has reached the level where everyone simply knows she is going to deliver and that reminds him of Novak Djokovic and Rafael Nadal.
Swiatek, ranked at No 1 in the world, cruised past the opening week of the Australian Open with three straight-set wins.
In her Australian Open third-round match, Swiatek dismantled Cristina Bucsa 6-0 6-1.
Now, Wilander feels Swiatek reaching the second week of a Grand Slam is basically a guarantee.
“The most important part of Iga Swiatek is that she’s very reliable now. There’s a certain style of player that cannot beat her. If you don’t hit the ball hard, you cannot beat Iga Swiatek. And it’s nearly becoming [like this] on every surface so that’s got to be such a good feeling. When you’ve watched someone like Novak Djokovic or Rafael Nadal over the years, you realise early in Grand Slams – ‘ok, this guy cannot be Rafa, there is no chance’. And I think Iga is setting that tone. Half of the locker room, or maybe even more, kind of think ‘well, I can’t do anything. I can’t hurt her,'” Wilander told Eurosport.
How did Swiatek do in the first week of the Australian Open
In the Australian Open first round, Swiatek was tested by Jule Niemeier but nothing that worrisome as the Pole beat the German 6-4 7-5.
In her next match, Swiatek ousted Camila Osorio 6-2 6-3.
Then, Swiatek put up a very dominant performance against Bucsa as she destroyed the Romanian 6-0 6-1.
Swiatek has indeed become pretty reliable at Grand Slams.
Last year, Swiatek made it all the way at the French Open and US Open.
At the Australian Open, Swiatek reached the semifinal.
At Wimbledon, Swiatek didn’t really have a deep run since she lost in the third round.
Now, Swiatek is off to a strong start to the Australian Open and is definitely looking to win her fourth Major.
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