Injured Swiatek goes down fighting in Wuhan Open semi-final
WUHAN: A left-leg injury derailed Iga Swiatek as she went down fighting to Polish compatriot and childhood friend Maja Chwalinska 7-5 6-1 in the Wuhan Open semi-finals on Saturday. French Open runner-up Chwalinska, who was Swiatek’s junior doubles partner, will face Sonay Kartal in the final after the Briton beat Jelena Ostapenko 7-6(9) 7-6(5) in the first semi-final. Swiatek was 5-3 ahead in the…
In the Wuhan Open semi-finals, injured Iga Swiatek fought valiantly against her childhood friend and Polish compatriot Maja Chwalinska, ultimately falling 7-5, 6-1. The French Open runner-up and fellow 25-year-old will face fellow British player Sonay Kartal in the final. Swiatek led 5-3 in the first set but lost her advantage when Chwalinska saved two set points and took a 6-5 lead.
After receiving treatment for her left-leg injury, Swiatek continued the match wearing a bandaged thigh, but struggled to maintain focus and pressure on her leg. Swiatek's physio, Maciej Ryszczuk, urged her to stop the match, but she chose to continue, with her decision respected by the medical staff. Chwalinska expressed her disbelief at winning, calling Swiatek a "great champion, living legend, she won everything."
World number six Elina Svitolina advanced to the WTA Finals, while Kartal returned to form after a six-month absence, overcoming errors and frustration to reach her second final on tour.
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