Machine-like Iga Swiatek crushes Jessica Pegula to win WTA Finals

While Iga Swiatek was ruthless during her run of matches at the WTA Finals, she may have saved her best performance for the final. Swiatek needed to win to retake the WTA No. 1 ranking and finish at the top for the second straight year. She allowed Jessica Pegula to win one game at the beginning of the first set to make the score 1-1, and then Swiatek ran off 11 straight wins to win 6-1 6-0.

Iga Swiatek was never challenged and for long stretches of the match, it seemed as if Pegula would never win another point. There was no shame for Pegula in losing so badly to Swiatek; The American simply ran into a buzzsaw that is one of the best women’s players in some years. Swiatek hammered her forehand precisely and with so much pace that even the quick Pegula could barely get a racket on the ball.

Swiatek lost just 20 games in her run at the WTA Finals. The previous record for losses during a single event was 34. Think about that for just a second. Not only was Swiatek leagues better than anyone she played, but she was basically an entire match better than the previous best run at the tournament.

Iga Swiatek dominates the WTA Finals in 2023

Swiatek surpassed Aryna Sabalenka for the No. 1 ranking. On the season, Iga Swiatek won a Grand Slam, three Masters tournaments, and the WTA Final. The thing is, she could have been even better and she will likely be driven to be better in 2024. She won’t want her only major win to be the French Open in 2024 as it was in 2023.

Swiatek is driven on the court and she has the power to help overcome any shortcomings. Off the court, she can be pleasant and funny. But you just don’t want to play her.

Iga Swiatek is only 22 years old and has won four Grand Slams. She wants to be among the best ever. If she plays as she did on Monday in the WTA Finals against Jessica Pegula, by the time Swiatek’s career is done, she could rival Serena Wiliams’ number of Grand Slam victories.