Wimbledon: Iga Swiatek struggles early on but gets job done in two sets vs No. 64

The hallowed grass courts of Wimbledon, where legends are forged and dreams are tested, welcomed world No. 4 Iga Swiatek on Tuesday, July 1, 2025, for her opening match of the 2025 Championships. Facing the unseeded Polina Kudermetova, ranked No. 64, Swiatek navigated a challenging first set before asserting her dominance to secure a 7-5, 6-1 victory in straight sets on Court No. 2. The 90-minute clash showcased the Polish star’s resilience and adaptability, as she shook off early struggles to advance to the second round, keeping her hopes alive for a maiden Wimbledon title.

Swiatek, a five-time Grand Slam champion, arrived at the All England Club with renewed confidence on grass, a surface that has historically posed challenges for the clay-court maestro. Fresh off her first grass-court final at the Bad Homburg Open, where she fell to Jessica Pegula just three days prior, the 24-year-old Pole was determined to translate her recent form into success at SW19. Her 22-match winning streak in Grand Slam first rounds underscored her reputation as a formidable competitor, yet grass remains her toughest frontier, with her best Wimbledon result being a 2023 quarterfinal. “I’m still a long way from mastering the art of grasscourt tennis,” Swiatek admitted, acknowledging the surface’s unique demands. “But every day my love for it is getting bigger.”

The match began with a tense first set, as Kudermetova, making her Wimbledon main-draw debut, proved a worthy adversary. The 23-year-old Russian, younger sister of Veronika Kudermetova, relied on a powerful first serve and aggressive shot-making to keep pace with Swiatek. Despite her 0-4 grass-court record and a season marked by inconsistency, Kudermetova’s flat groundstrokes and heavy topspin tested Swiatek’s defensive prowess. The Russian earned a break point opportunity in the fifth game, but Swiatek’s steely resolve shone through, as she saved it with precision. “I was pretty confused about my tactics,” Swiatek later reflected, echoing a sentiment from past grass-court challenges. The set remained tightly contested until Swiatek, leading 6-5, seized her first break-point chance to claim the set 7-5, capitalizing on a Kudermetova error.

The second set was a different story, as Swiatek found her rhythm and dominated with clinical efficiency. Her first-serve percentage soared to 80%, with an impressive 88% of those points won, and she converted 57% of return points. The Pole’s signature intensity overwhelmed Kudermetova, who struggled to maintain her first-set composure. Swiatek rattled off 20 of the final 25 points, including a 10-point streak, securing two consecutive breaks to close out the set 6-1 in just 20 minutes. “I felt like I needed to stay solid no matter the score,” Swiatek said, emphasizing her focus on maintaining consistency. Her performance mirrored her knack for “bagel” and “breadstick” sets, having now won three 6-0 sets at Wimbledon in her career.

Kudermetova, despite the loss, showed flashes of potential. Her Brisbane International final appearance earlier in 2025 highlighted her capability, but her 14-14 season record and lack of grass-court success underscored the challenge of facing a player of Swiatek’s caliber. “She played absolutely incredible tennis,” Kudermetova acknowledged, giving credit to Swiatek’s relentless pressure.

Swiatek’s victory marks her 36th win of the 2025 season and her fourth on grass, a surface where she has steadily improved. Her Bad Homburg run, which included victories over top players like Victoria Azarenka and Jasmine Paolini, boosted her ranking from No. 8 to No. 4, signaling a grass-court resurgence. “What a great first final on grass,” her sponsor On celebrated on social media, a sentiment echoed by fans who see her as a dark horse at Wimbledon.

Looking ahead, Swiatek faces American Caty McNally in the second round, who advanced with a straight-sets win over British wildcard Jodie Burrage. With a tough draw potentially pitting her against former champion Elena Rybakina in the fourth round and Coco Gauff in the quarterfinals, Swiatek’s path to glory is fraught with challenges. Yet, her ability to adapt, as shown against Kudermetova, suggests she’s ready to tackle them. “I feel I needed that win to believe in myself a little more on this surface,” she said, her determination palpable.

This match was a microcosm of Swiatek’s Wimbledon journey: a blend of struggle and supremacy. As she continues to refine her grass-court game, shortening her backswing and embracing quicker points, the tennis world watches eagerly to see if 2025 will be the year she conquers Wimbledon’s elusive crown.

Be the first to comment

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published.


*