Iga has the eye of the tiger
When Fabrice Santoro compared the world No.1’s aura to that of a champion fighter about to enter the ring, Swiatek conceded it was a trait she had had to work on.
“Oh it’s not natural at all. It’s something I’ve been working on since I started,” she said. “I think being focused and wanting to put pressure on my opponent, I have initiative and I can really lead on court. It gives me a lot.
“It’s not that easy. You have to get pumped up and in the zone. I’m getting better and better at it but I’m still no expert.”
Swiatek was in such cruise control after her lights-out opening set and after the first game of the second set that she charged to the changeover intent on sitting down, until realising she had jumped the gun.
Her focus was unwavering and a formidable weapon ahead of her third-round meeting with Montenegrin Danka Kovinic.
Still there was room to improve.
“I would work on everything [on my day off] because I’m a perfectionist and there’s always something I could do better,” she said.