25th WTA Title for Swiatek in Seoul: World Number 2 Overcomes Alexandrova in a Thrilling Final
In a thrilling final of the WTA 500 tournament in Seoul, Iga Swiatek displayed incredible resilience to overcome Ekaterina Alexandrova. After a difficult first set, the Polish player managed to prevail in a match full of twists and turns.
On this eventful Sunday, the top two seeds of the WTA 500 tournament in Seoul were battling for the title. Thus, Iga Swiatek and Ekaterina Alexandrova were on the court, each hoping to triumph in the South Korean capital.
Previously crowned in 2022 when the tournament was in the WTA 250 category, the Russian had lost only one set in this tournament, during her opening match against Loïs Boisson. Meanwhile, Swiatek was the only top 10 player present in Seoul, aiming to live up to her ranking.
After easily defeating Sorana Cirstea, Barbora Krejcikova, and Maya Joint, the Polish player faced her toughest test of the week. And it was confirmed right from the start of the match.
Off her game, she committed many errors, and a solid Alexandrova took advantage, winning the first set in just 30 minutes.
In the second set, the servers generally held their ground, and the two women had to settle it in a tie-breaker. Swiatek handled the pressure perfectly in the tie-break (7 points to 3).
Alexandrova, who was one game away from victory on two occasions, couldn’t clinch it and was dragged into a decisive set. At the beginning of the final set, Alexandrova, undeterred by the previous set’s loss, pushed forward and led by 3 games to 1.
But in this seesaw match, Swiatek, ranked number 2 in the world, did not give up. She won three consecutive games before getting two break points at 4-3. Alexandrova held on, winning her game and also having break opportunities in the following game.
Ultimately, after a fiercely contested battle that remained uncertain until the last point, and where both players came close to victory, it was the six-time Grand Slam champion who triumphed (1-6, 7-6, 7-5 in 2h43).
This marks Swiatek's sixth victory against Alexandrova in eight encounters, earning her third title of the year following Wimbledon and Cincinnati, and the 25th of her career.
With Sabalenka’s absence in Beijing, she will have a chance to get even closer to the world number one spot during this Asian tour where she has no points to defend.
Séoul 
