The world N.1 Iga Swiatek qualified for the final of the Stuttgart tournament which launches the clay court season in Europe, after the abandonment of the Tunisian Ons Jabeur (4th in the world), touched in the left calf from the first game. .
In the final on Sunday, Poland’s Iga Swiatek will face world No.2 Aryna Sabalenka, who corrected Anastasia Potapova (24th) earlier on Saturday 6-1, 6-2. This will be the revenge of last year’s final won by Swiatek. “She has gained a lot of confidence this season, this is her third final here. It won’t be easy, I hope it will be a good match for you spectators,” commented Swiatek after the short encounter.
In the semi-final, Ons Jabeur was injured in the first game of service won by Swiatek and asked for a medical time-out to have her left calf manipulated. The Tunisian returned after a few minutes of care, with a big strap and grimacing. She lost the next two games, limped back to her chair and was forced, after a few words exchanged with the tournament doctor, to give up with tears in her eyes after just 18 minutes. “I’m sorry. I was looking forward to playing against Iga today. I’m really sorry,” Jabeur said after the game.
After shaking hands, Swiatek came to check on Jabeur, who left the court to applause. “I told him that we may face each other in the final of Roland-Garros”, explained the Pole.
