Iga Swiatek's potential path to title glory at WTA Finals 2024

A final showdown between Iga Swiatek and Aryna Sabalenka is on the cards.

Iga Swiatek enters the WTA Finals 2024 as the defending champion and with the mission of keeping her crown intact and regaining the number one ranking which is currently being held by Aryna Sabalenka. Swiatek won the French Open, which was her fifth Grand Slam title but since then has faced series of disappointments.

The 2024 Paris Olympics was Swiatek’s best opportunity to win an Olympic Gold, playing the competition at her favourite court—the Roland Garros. However, Qinwen Zheng put water to those plans as she knocked out the Polish in the semifinals, with the Polish eventually settling for a bronze.

At the US Open 2024, Swiatek went down to Jessica Pegula in the quarterfinals ultimately losing her apex ranking. Seeded second, Swiatek faces a tough challenge at the 2024 WTA Finals if she were to defend her crown. Let’s take a look at her potential path to glory.

Iga Swiatek’s potential path to title at WTA Finals 2024

Group stage: Barbora Krejcikova

The world number two is set to start her title defence against defending Wimbledon champion, Barbora Krejcikova. Post her Wimbledon heroics, the Czech has struggled across tournaments with plenty of early exits—including the US Open, China Open, Wuhan Open. Her latest outing was at the Ningbo Open wherein she was eliminated by Mirra Andreeva in the quarterfinals.

Interestingly, the head-to-head between the duo is tied at two apiece, with Krejcikova defeating the Polish in their last two encounters. However, given the contrasting form of the two players leading up to the event, it’s safe to say that Iga Swiatek should kick start her campaign in style.

Group stage: Coco Gauff

A mouthwatering contest is in prospect as Iga Swiatek is slated to take on the supremely talented Coco Gauff in her second round of the group stage. Coco Gauff has had an interesting last few weeks post her shocking exit at the US Open 2024 wherein she was knocked out of the tournament by fellow American, Emma Navarro in the fourth round.

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However, she bounced back by winning the China Open shortly after, a testimony to her grit and determination. She then advanced to the semifinals of the Wuhan Open, losing to Aryna Sabalenka and is currently seeded third as she hopes to win the WTA Finals.

Swiatek boasts off an impressive 11-1 head-to-head record against the 2023 US Open champion and would hope to build on the lead in what is expected to be an intense and mighty close contest.

Group stage: Jessica Pegula

A rematch of the US Open 2024 semifinals is on the cards as Swiatek will end the group stage by facing the US Open finalist, Jessica Pegula. The American had only recently beaten Swiatek and the 23-year-old would be eager to avenge her loss. The duo shares a tight head-to-head record with Swiatek only narrowly leading 6-4.

Pegula impressed one and all at the Flushing Meadows but crashed out of the China Open a few weeks later, losing to Paula Badosa in the round of 16. While the hard court remains Pegula’s favourite format, Swiatek is expected to end the group stage with a victory.

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Semi-final: Jasmine Paolini or Qinwen Zheng

Iga Swiatek could potentially face Jasmine Paolini in the semifinals, with Paolini already up and running at the WTA Finals 2024 having beaten the hard-hitting Elena Rybakina in her first round. Paolini, who has had a dream year having advanced to the finals of both the French Open and Wimbledon, would be eager to make a hat-trick of finals.

At the 2024 French Open, it was Swiatek who quashed Paolini’s dream of a maiden Grand Slam major. She leads the Italian 2-0 on head-to-head records and the Polish will certainly enter the contest as the favourite to make it 3-0.

Also Read: Top five singles players with most wins in 2024 WTA season ft. Coco Gauff, Elena Rybakina & more

Qinwen Zheng, who lost to Aryna Sabalenka in the first round, could still turn things around and if she does manage to defeat Paolini and Rybakina, a rematch of the 2024 Olympics semis could take place, serving Swiatek with a golden opportunity to avenge her loss at the Garros earlier this year.

Finals: Aryna Sabalenka

A fitting finale could be on the cards if world number one and two go head-to-head at the WTA Finals. Aryna Sabalenka, who has enjoyed a successful 2024 despite her shoulder injury, would be certain to finish the year as the number one seed if she plays the final of this event. Having won the Australian Open and US Open this year, she now looks to be the new WTA Final champion.

Also Read: Meet the eight contenders and their path to qualification for WTA Finals 2024

Swiatek had last faced the Belarusian at Cincinnati, where she was hammered in straight sets. Despite Swiatek leading the h2h battle 8-4, Sabalenka will enter the event as the player to beat. Aryna enters the WTA Finals 2024 on the back of winning the Wuhan Open and has begun her title run with a comfortable win over Qinwen Zheng.

If the duo ends up facing each other in the finals, it would be a fitting end to what has been an exhilarating year of women’s singles tennis!

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