Iga Swiatek falls to Svitolina in Indian Wells Quarterfinals

 

Well in any type of progress there's always 2 steps forward one step back. Seems that's what yesterday's match was for Iga vs Svitolina. 

I did say I'd need to see more evidence of Iga playing really good players in the top 10 before declaring her being 'back'. Svitolina was the litmus test and unfortunately Iga still didn't pass. 

Despite the fact Svitolina didn't have the best day herself.

I just wish these steps backwards for Iga would happen less. It's so hard to gauge where her game is at with nearly flawless performances one minute and complete deterioration the next. 

Today the serve really let her down, I realize that she's working on her serve behind the scenes so there'll be a lot of trial and error but the amount of double faults per match are very uncharacteristic and concerning now. 

This loss also means a slight drop in the ranking (by 1) for Iga, with Rybakina taking the number 2 spot for the moment. 

But honestly that's the least of Iga's worries, if and when she finally finds her game and starts getting more wins then losses against top 10 players the ranking will reflect that.

Until than I'm starting to think we may hit a bit of a further decline position wise. 

It's tough as a long time Iga fan to see her struggle this much. 

At this rate I almost want her to skip Miami and get ready for the clay swing, but she has quarterfinal points to defend there and it's hard to work on things like your game or match confidence (regardless of the surface) if you don't play any matches especially against top 10 opponents.

Definitely not the result Iga or her fans wanted, but hopefully Iga can look at the 2 matches with Sakkari and Muchova, take it as a positive and build on it. 

Whether she'll be able to do that right away in Miami next week hard to say. 

We might have to see a change of surface before Iga gets her rhythm back to a more consistent and permanent basis. 

That's the hope. 

The life of a tennis fan is supporting their favourites in good times and in bad, so that's what I'll do.

I still believe better times are ahead for Iga this year, it's just a matter of when.

Keep your head up Iga, keep working and believe in the process.

Jazda.