MATCH REPORT | 2023 WTA FINALS: Iga SWIATEK masterful performance overpowering Jessica PEGULA, crowned champion and World No. 1

WTA
Monday, 06 November 2023 at 23:45
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Iga Swiatek reigns in Cancun with an enormous victory over Jessica Pegula, winning 6-1, 6-0 to claim the WTA Finals title and finish the year as the world No. 1.
The top two players in the tournament faced each other in an exciting final. Both Jessica Pegula (5th) and Iga Swiatek (2nd) finished at the top of their respective round-robin groups to advance to the semifinals.
The American defeated her compatriot Coco Gauff (6-2, 6-1), and Swiatek had no issues against the world No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka (6-3, 6-2).
Swiatek arrived at the Finals with hopes of regaining the top spot in the WTA Ranking, depending on Sabalenka's results. With the Belarusian's defeat in the group stage to Pegula and then in the semifinals against Swiatek, the Polish player had the mission of winning the tournament to finish as the world's best for the second consecutive year.
Swiatek's domination was absolute from the beginning to the end of the match. The American held her first service game but couldn't defend any more. Swiatek won the next 5 games consecutively without giving her opponent any chances.
Swiatek won 92% of the points with her first serve and 57% with the second, while Pegula won 50% with the first and 33% with the second. Swiatek capitalized on both of her break opportunities to take the set.
In the second set, the nightmare continued for Pegula, who could hardly do anything against Swiatek's superb play. Swiatek won the set with a bagel, taking 80% of the points in the set.
Swiatek's victory was perhaps the most impressive of the tournament, and she won the match 6-1, 6-0 to lift her first WTA Finals title and return to the top of the rankings. This means that Swiatek finishes the year as the world No. 1 for the second consecutive year.
Starting from September 7, the Billie Jean King Cup finals will be played, where Poland and the United States share a group. However, both Pegula and Swiatek have decided to end their season and will not participate in the team tournament.

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