Only the mediocre are always at their best. So said (as of course we all know) Jean Giraudoux, 20th century French novelist, essayist, diplomat and playwright. And six-time Grand Slam champion Iga Swiatek is anything but mediocre, as we all also know.
But it can safely be said that the Pole has not been at her absolute best in the opening two rounds of her title defence, despite the assured-looking scoreline of her 6-1, 6-3 second-round victory over 2021 runner-up here Karolina Pliskova.
All the same, it was an improvement on the difficulties of her opener against Taylor Townsend on Tuesday – no sets conceded and especially no juddering tears of relief this time from Swiatek. It helped that the pre-match danger threatened by Pliskova’s career-long grass-court smarts materialised only fleetingly.
If what matters the most is moving forward from each match carrying only the positives with you, then victory will do very well for Swiatek here.
There can’t be too much wrong with holding break points in every Pliskova service game. Yet the Pole still stacked up 18 unforced errors in this match, at times in unseemly clumps. Any repeat in upcoming rounds could create disaster as the quality of opposition ticks upward.
But it was a smiling – not crying – Swiatek who addressed the Centre Court crowd after her victory.
“I’m feeling more stable today, and that’s good,” she said. “The first round was really emotional but today felt like another day in the office. I needed to be ready, be sharp and make good decisions.
“It’s always better when you’re able to think like that. I was consistent and had a good level of focus. I just believed I could be the most solid player on court. I try to be the best player I can be.”
On learning Martina Navratilova graded her performance A-plus in commentary, Swiatek appeared startled, perhaps with that unforced error count in mind.
“I don’t know,” she said. “More like B, I would say.”
But it can safely be said that the Pole has not been at her absolute best in the opening two rounds of her title defence, despite the assured-looking scoreline of her 6-1, 6-3 second-round victory over 2021 runner-up here Karolina Pliskova.
All the same, it was an improvement on the difficulties of her opener against Taylor Townsend on Tuesday – no sets conceded and especially no juddering tears of relief this time from Swiatek. It helped that the pre-match danger threatened by Pliskova’s career-long grass-court smarts materialised only fleetingly.
If what matters the most is moving forward from each match carrying only the positives with you, then victory will do very well for Swiatek here.
There can’t be too much wrong with holding break points in every Pliskova service game. Yet the Pole still stacked up 18 unforced errors in this match, at times in unseemly clumps. Any repeat in upcoming rounds could create disaster as the quality of opposition ticks upward.
But it was a smiling – not crying – Swiatek who addressed the Centre Court crowd after her victory.
“I’m feeling more stable today, and that’s good,” she said. “The first round was really emotional but today felt like another day in the office. I needed to be ready, be sharp and make good decisions.
“It’s always better when you’re able to think like that. I was consistent and had a good level of focus. I just believed I could be the most solid player on court. I try to be the best player I can be.”
On learning Martina Navratilova graded her performance A-plus in commentary, Swiatek appeared startled, perhaps with that unforced error count in mind.
“I don’t know,” she said. “More like B, I would say.”
A much better match.
Iga looked more self assured on her shots and definitely more relaxed. First match defending champion jitters were definitely the culprit.
Pliskova's lack of movement allowed Iga to play more of her game too.
It only gets tougher from here though.
Next round will be the real test given how well Eala is playing.
But if Iga prepares well tactically I think she might do alight.
Could be a close one.
Jazda!
Iga Swiatek this decade: 26 Slam appearances 26 times in the third round26 - Iga Swiatek is the third player in the Open Era to reach the Round of 32 for 26+ consecutive Women’s Singles Grand Slam events after Martina Navratilova (35) and Conchita Martinez (30). Rule.
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