Top seed Iga Swiatek began her Korea Open campaign with a 6-3, 6-2 win over Sorana Cirstea on Thursday in Seoul, improving to 6-0 in their head-to-head and advancing to the quarterfinals on her tournament debut.
Swiatek’s Personal Connection to Seoul
The trip carries personal significance for Swiatek. Her father, Tomasz, competed in men’s quadruple sculls at the 1988 Seoul Olympics, and she has grown up hearing about his experiences in the city. She described playing at venues tied to that history as an honor and said she hopes he can join her in Seoul in the future.
In her first match since a US Open quarterfinal defeat to Amanda Anisimova, Swiatek broke serve in the opening game and raced to a 5-1 lead. Cirstea fought back by saving five set points and retrieving one break, but Swiatek closed the opener on her sixth chance. Despite some uneven patches in the second set — she finished with 19 winners and 21 unforced errors — Swiatek saved all three break points she faced and converted her first match point when Cirstea sent a forehand long.
The victory sends Swiatek to her 13th quarterfinal in 15 tournaments this season, excluding team events. She will face either No. 8 seed Emma Raducanu or Barbora Krejcikova next. Swiatek’s performance in Seoul showcases her resilience and determination, further solidifying her status as a leading contender in women’s tennis.
As the tournament progresses, fans will be eager to see how Swiatek continues to evolve her game and handle the pressure on her path toward potential championship glory.