US Open clash ignites WTA rivalry
The WTA needs an Iga Swiatek v Ons Jabeur on-court classic as they face off in the US Open final today, writes Stuart Fraser
DESPITE all the unpredictability in the women’s game in recent times, the US Open final will pit the best two performing players in the world this year against each other.
If the rankings were purely based on results in 2022, the No 1, Iga Swiatek, will take on the No 2, Ons Jabeur, today (8am
NZT) for the final grand slam title of this season.
Swiatek, 21, has been the standout player on the WTA Tour, recording a 37-match winning streak earlier this year that ranks as the longest by any woman this century.
Jabeur, 28, has backed up her run to the final of Wimbledon by repeating the feat two months later in New York.
‘‘I think we are just trying to manage and learn how to be more and more consistent,’’ Jabeur said.
‘‘I feel like the difference between men and women didn’t happen before, but then they had [Roger] Federer, [Novak] Djokovic, and [Rafael] Nadal. Before, we just had Serena
[Williams].
‘‘Definitely it is better for us to be consistent and do great results. Iga inspired us with her winning streak and we are going to continue fighting.’’
Jabeur now has the chance to claim the first major trophy that she was only one set from securing at the All England Club - she won the first set of the final against Kazakhstan’s Elena Rybakina before losing in three. As painful as that was, it was an experience that will be valuable as she prepares for another shot at glory here.
‘‘It feels more real, to be honest with you, just to be in the finals again,’’ the No 5 seed from Tunisia said. ‘‘At Wimbledon I was kind of just living the dream, and I couldn’t believe it. Even just after the match, I was just going to do my thing and [did] not realise it was an amazing achievement already. ‘‘But now I just hope I’m getting used to it and [I am] happy with the fact that I backed up the results in Wimbledon and people are not really surprised I’m in the finals — but just going and going and just doing my thing. Now maybe I know what to do in the final. I know it’s going to be very difficult, but I’m going to have to do my best now.’’ Jabeur is a trailblazer as the first African and Arab woman to become a US Open finalist.
She has become a national icon in Tunisia, where millions watched her comfortable 6-1 6-3 semifinal victory against France’s Carolina Garcia. Two days earlier her quarterfinal had taken eyes away from the Champions League match between Juventus and Paris Saint-Germain.
‘‘In Tunisia it’s all about soccer,’’ Jabeur said. ‘‘But people were not watching the game, they were watching my game, which is impressive to me.
‘‘I think parents are making their kids play tennis right now. I just remember when I won the juniors at the 2011 French Open, there were a lot of players trying to play tennis, even adults. They are interested in the sport.
‘‘I’m hearing that they want to call a complex [by] my name in Tunisia. I think it’s going to be huge and definitely is going to give a powerful message. I feel like people are going to believe even more in playing tennis and becoming professional tennis players.’’
The match-up between Swiatek’s attack and Jabeur’s variety promises to be fascinating.
With a head-to-head record of 2-2, this is developing into a much-needed rivalry for the WTA Tour, which has lacked regular contests between the sport’s best players at the biggest tournaments to drive interest and storylines.
‘‘There are a lot of challenges because she’s a really solid player and she’s second in the race right now,’’ Swiatek said. ‘‘She didn’t get ranking points for the Wimbledon final, but it shows how much progress she has made.
‘‘She has a different game style than most of the players. She has a great touch and all these things [shots] mixed up. That’s why our matches are always kind of physical and really tight. She’s just a tough opponent and fully deserves to be in the final. I think it’s going to be a great battle.’’
Swiatek has the benefit of being a slam champion already, having won the 2020 and 2022 French Opens.