Swiatek vs Kerber: United Cup Final Analysis
A competitive, high-quality start. A battle to for the first break point conversion. Then a 9-game run by Swiatek to end it and reach yet another 16-match winning streak.
Iga Swiatek secured an unbeaten 5-0 United Cup singles record as she defeated Angelique Kerber, who was on her comeback event after 18 months on maternity leave.
Kerber, boosted by saving two match points in the semifinal win over Ajla Tomljanovic, began the match playing her best tennis of the week. Connecting repeatedly on down-the-line shots, she provided a stern test for Swiatek in a tightly-contested first set.
The early inspiration enabled Kerber to reach break points first, as Swiatek served at 2-2 (a game that lasted 16 points). It was the start of a 4-game stretch with servers labouring to hold. In total, Kerber missed 5 break points. Swiatek squandered 4 break points before finally converting on the 5th chance with a crosscourt forehand winner.
It gave Swiatek a 5-3 lead. It marked the end of Kerber’s resistance.
While Swiatek turned up the heat, Kerber went in the opposite direction. The German struggled to find the court in the second set and won just 7 points. It was the same amount she had won in Swiatek’s 16-point serve game alone.
The outcome of the match was influenced by these key factors:
Swiatek’s play facing break points
Swiatek “serve+1” aggression
Kerber down-the-line shots
Kerber not finding the court in the second set
1. Swiatek’s play facing break points
Swiatek had to save 5 break points during the tight portion of the first set.
This is how she won them:
2-2 Adv. Kerber → backhand winner (“serve+1”)
2-2 Adv. Kerber → volley winner (“serve+2”)
3-3 30/40 → approach winner (“serve+3”)
3-3 Adv. Kerber → backhand winner (“serve+1”)
3-3 Adv. Kerber → forehand winner (“serve+5”)
Now that is how doors are shut! In all 5 break points, Swiatek finished with winners. In all points, she took command with her “serve+1” shot.
The last break point was the only one played on a 2nd serve. That serve was relatively short and ended up being the only vulnerable shot in all 5 break points. Kerber did not attack it and she missed her opening as Swiatek immediately began sending Kerber side to side with an inside-in “serve+1” forehand. The point lasted 9 shots (more than other break points) but Kerber was always scrambling.
2. Swiatek’s “serve+1” aggression
Swiatek is known for seeking aggression in “serve+1” shots, not only on break points, but on all her serve points. Numbers from the first set demonstrated it.