Well it happened, for the first time in her young career Iga lost a match from a set and match point up. A score line of 7/5 1/6 6/7 (10/8)
And it hurts, I can only imagine how Iga must have felt in the moment absolutely devasted no doubt. So close to becoming the first ever Polish Australian Open finalist.
We were one point away from the first ever Iga vs Aryna meeting in a Slam final *sigh*
This match give me flashbacks to Wimbledon 2019 when Roger Federer lost to Djokovic with 2 match points on his serve. Never a fun one to remember as a Federer fan.
As Iga herself said in post match, that's sport for you, sometimes it just doesn't go your way. Obviously I still think that sooner rather than later Iga will finally get there. Being 23 she certainly has time on her side.
But even knowing that, it still feels like today was such a huge lost opportunity. The draw this year was probably the most favorable Iga received in years. Playing at night in the slower conditions barely losing games to get to the semis, seemed like the stars were aligned. And yet.
It was quite a nervy match from both lots of breaks of serve, but Iga still managed to steal the first set.
Quite a few unforced errors as wel l. I think the nerves really effected the serve too just wasn't there for her in key moments, like 7-5 in the 10 point super tiebreak.
She was ahead in the breaker at least 3 times all she needed was one good unreturned serve and it could have completely turned the outcome on it's head. With 7 double faults and zero aces however hard not to feel pressure when you can't rely on your serve for some free points.
Granted the fact that she still got to a tiebreak with twice as many unforced errors as winners is commendable. It shows real progress, Iga of last year probably would have completely panicked, overhit and lost this in straight sets.
But today she really fought to the very end. And it was truly one of those tiebreaks that could have gone either way.
I have to give Madison Keys her due I didn't expect her to hold up physically after winning Adelaide and having so many 3 setters here. Respect.
Will she have enough to stop Aryna Sabalanka from becoming the 3rd player in history to 3peet at Aussie Open?. Honestly I think at this point the only person left who can stop Sabalenka is Sabalenka herself.
It may not have been the result we all wanted today, but looking at the positives she made her first semi in Australia in 3 years.
Playing at night under the roof (probably her least fave conditions) on a fast hardcourt with a big hitter all things that everyone kept saying were not favorable to her ever winning in Aus.
Yet she still almost pulled off the win.
With a new coach she's only been working with a few months. I saw her come to the net more often in this match then I have in the past 3 years.
If she keeps working on it, you never know might finally be able to do something big on the grass of Wimbledon.
Everything is still a work in progress, but she made huge strides and with Wim at her side I'm absolutely certain it'll only get better.
The season has only just begun, plenty of chances to improve and strive for more.
Hold your head up high Iga, you give it your all and fought your heart out. You did Poland proud as always.
As the saying goes you learn more from losses then victories. This will only make you stronger.
To paraphrase the great Sir Andy Murray you're getting closer. Rest up champ. See you on the tour in February.
Onward to the next.
Jazda!
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