Swiatek Overcomes Set Point to Defeat Garcia in Miami
Iga Swiatek came dangerously close to being pushed into a deciding set by Caroline Garcia but held firm, saving a set point late in the second set to seal a 6-2, 7-5 victory in the Miami Open second round.
Just two weeks after dismantling Garcia 6-2, 6-0 in Indian Wells, Swiatek once again started dominantly in Miami. The Polish star raced to a 4-0 lead with back-to-back breaks before comfortably closing out the opening set in just eight games. Her serve was particularly effective, as she fired four aces and lost only three points on serve in the first set.
Swiatek seemed poised for another routine victory when she broke Garcia in the opening game of the second set. However, a drop in intensity saw her lose consecutive service games, falling behind 3-1. She quickly responded with a break of her own in the fifth game to level the score.
Despite letting her second-set lead slip, Garcia had a chance to force a decider when she earned a set point on Swiatek’s serve at 5-4. But the former world No. 1 held her ground, saving the set point before securing a crucial break in the 11th game. She then served out the match to advance to the third round.
Who’s Next for Swiatek?
For a place in the round of 16, Swiatek will face either No. 27 seed Elise Mertens or American Peyton Stearns.
The 23-year-old is chasing her first title since last year’s French Open and is eager to avoid heading into the clay season without a trophy in nearly a year. Swiatek is no stranger to success in Miami, having won the tournament in 2022 with a dominant victory over Maria Sakkari in the final.
