DOHA (Reuters) – World number one Iga Swiatek defeated American Jessica Pegula 6-3 6-0 in just over an hour to defend her Qatar Open title on Saturday.
The victory capped off a dominant campaign during which Swiatek recorded 6-0 6-1 wins over both Danielle Collins and Veronika Kudermetova and received a quarter-final bye, dropping just five games in three matches.
The reigning French and U.S. Open champion was quick to downplay the significance of her achievement, however, saying in an on-court interview, “Well, for sure the bye helped. I don’t really care how many games I won or lost.”
It is Swiatek’s first title of a year, and follows her shock fourth-round exit in the Australian Open at the hands of Wimbledon champion Elena Rybakina.
The Pole will be hoping it helps kickstart a run similar to last year, when she built on her maiden victory in Doha to win 37 straight matches and claim the French Open as well as titles at Indian Wells, Miami, Stuttgart and Rome.
“I feel like I found my rhythm here after a tough beginning to the season,” said Swiatek, after claiming her 12th WTA singles title.
“I could really stay focused from the beginning to the end of matches.”
Swiatek lent her support to the people in Ukraine following her win in the last edition of the tournament, and reiterated that message on Saturday.
“I feel like we all have pretty short memories, but we should all support Ukraine and Ukrainians in everything they cope with every day,” Swiatek said.
“It’s disappointing that the situation has not changed, but hopefully they will stay strong.”
(Reporting by Aadi Nair in Bengaluru; Editing by Hugh Lawson)
