Swiatek Clinches Milestone 300th Win with Comeback over Azarenka at Bad Homburg

Jakarta – World No. 1 Iga Swiatek marked a significant milestone in her professional career on Tuesday, notching her 300th WTA tour-level win with a determined 6-4, 6-4 victory over former top-ranked player Victoria Azarenka at the Bad Homburg Open.

The Polish star, seeded fourth at the tournament, overcame a sluggish start on the grass to recover from a 1-4 deficit in the opening set. Swiatek found her rhythm just in time, breaking Azarenka twice to turn the set around and maintain her momentum in the second.

The win also marks her first grass-court victory of the season, coming just days ahead of Wimbledon, where she’ll seek her maiden title on the surface. Swiatek converted four of eight break points and saved four of six on her own serve, demonstrating calm under pressure against the experienced Belarusian.

“I knew it was going to be a tough match,” Swiatek said.

“Getting my 300th win makes it even more special, especially on a surface I’m still growing on.”

The 23-year-old has been a dominant force on the WTA Tour in recent years, with four Grand Slam titles and a stronghold on the No. 1 ranking. Her win against Azarenka is another reminder of her consistency and adaptability across surfaces.

Who’s Moving On in Bad Homburg?

Top seed Jessica Pegula moved through to the quarterfinals with a clinical 6-2, 6-3 win over Katerina Siniakova, while No. 2 seed Jasmine Paolini held off a determined Leylah Fernandez, clinching a 7-6(8), 7-6(6) victory in two tightly contested sets.

In a standout performance, American fifth seed Emma Navarro defeated Naomi Osaka 6-4, 6-4, ending the Japanese star’s run with strong baseline play and consistency.

Brazil’s Beatriz Haddad Maia rounded out the day’s winners, easing past Ashlyn Krueger 6-1, 6-4.

Eastbourne Action: Late Rallies and Local Stars

Over at the Lexus Eastbourne International in England, 2024 Wimbledon champion Barbora Krejcikova saved two match points before staging a dramatic comeback against Britain’s Harriet Dart, eventually sealing a 6-3, 6-7(4), 7-5 win in a match lasting over two hours and 40 minutes.

British No. 1 Emma Raducanu also thrilled the home crowd, recovering from a slow start to defeat American Ann Li 6-7(5), 6-3, 6-1.

Elsewhere, Jelena Ostapenko, Peyton Stearns, and Jodie Burrage advanced in straight sets, while Kimberly Birrell stunned No. 4 seed Sofia Kenin 6-4, 6-4. Magda Linette of Poland was forced to retire during her match against Dayana Yastremska, who led 6-4, 4-2 at the time.