Stuttgart Open Highlights: World number one and defending champion Iga Swiatek is into Stuttgart Open final for the second consecutive year after her opponent Ons Jabeur retired after playing just three games in the 1st set. The Pole will now face Aryna Sabalenka in a rematch of last year’s final which Swiatek won convincingly 6-2,6-2. Sabalenka is also coming from a easy straight sets victory over Russian Anastasia Potapova 6-1, 6-2. Follow Stuttgart Open 2023 Live Updates on InsideSport.IN
Iga Swiatek on Ons Jabeur’s injury in Stuttgart:
“I really respect the fact that she came out and she tried. I told her we’re probably going to play the Roland Garros Final, so we’ll see each other there. She’s a fighter…” 🥹❤ pic.twitter.com/XoC8iNGUMd
— The Tennis Letter (@TheTennisLetter) April 22, 2023
Tunisian Jabeur, on a seven-match winning run after recovering from injury and surgery earlier this year, looked to have hurt herself during the last point of the first game.
The world number four, fresh from her title win in Charleston earlier in the month, took a medical timeout but despite playing on with her left calf bandaged for two more games she decided to stop with Swiatek 3-0 up.
“I really tried but at that point I don’t know what happened,” a tearful Jabeur said. “I was excited to play Iga and seeing that the stadium is full. I am sorry about it.”
Stuttgart Open Highlights: Sabalenka’s strong performance
Australian Open winner Sabalenka needed just 58 minutes to storm into her third straight Stuttgart final with a 6-1 6-2 demolition of Potapova.
Sabalenka, who last year lost to Swiatek, raced to a 4-0 lead, breaking her opponent twice.
World number 24 Potapova was playing catch-up throughout and was very vulnerable on her weak second serve.
She was equally helpless in the second set with Sabalenka breaking early again as she won the first eight points.
The world number two then raced back from 30-0 down with a string of big serves at 5-2 to finish off the game and reach her fourth final of the year.
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