In a surprising twist at the Indian Wells semi-finals, Iga Swiatek was defeated by the young and ambitious Mirra Andreeva. Swiatek, a two-time champion at Indian Wells, admitted that her young Russian opponent “played better and braver” in the match, leading to her well-deserved victory.
Coming off a victorious streak of four straight-set wins at this year’s championship, Swiatek was considered a favorite. However, she met her match in Andreeva, who displayed a dynamic performance on Friday, securing a 7-6 (1) 1-6 6-3 win over the veteran player.
The match saw two pivotal moments that turned the tides in Andreeva’s favor. The first was during the initial tie-break when the Russian teenager made a strategic decision to go all out — a move that paid off as she dominated, taking the lead by one set. After a brief setback in the second set, Andreeva regained her momentum, amping up her aggressiveness and securing two early breaks in the final set, culminating in her victory.
In a candid post-match interview on Canal+ Sport, Swiatek acknowledged Andreeva’s superior gameplay. “She certainly played better, and I believe she was braver during key moments,” Swiatek reflected. Despite remembering a few shots she felt she could have improved, Swiatek conceded that it was a high-level match overall.
The wind in Indian Wells was another factor that Swiatek felt played a significant role in her defeat. She found it challenging to counter Andreeva’s powerful shots when playing against the wind, stating, “I gave 100% in many rallies, but the ball just didn’t travel the way I wanted.” Conversely, when the wind was in her favor, Swiatek admits she wasn’t always able to exploit it, suggesting that a more aggressive approach may have balanced things out.
In her interview, Swiatek also noted that Andreeva “played better than my previous opponents,” a testimonial to the young Russian’s prowess on the court.
Swiatek’s loss at Indian Wells extends her title drought. The Polish player hasn’t enjoyed a championship win since her fourth French Open title in June of last year. However, she is not one to dwell on defeat. Her sights are now set on the upcoming Miami tournament, where she emerged triumphant in 2022. Despite her recent setback, Swiatek remains a formidable competitor in the world of tennis.
