Tennis: Poland’s Świątek climbs to career-best world No. 9

Polish tennis player Iga Świątek has climbed six notches to a career-high world No. 9 in the latest WTA rankings.

Poland's Iga Świątek poses with her trophy after winning the final of the Italian Open in Rome on Sunday, May 16, 2021.

Photos: EPA/ETTORE FERRARI

The 19-year-old Pole, coached by countryman Piotr Sierzputowski, on Sunday won the women's singles at the Italian Open clay-court tournament in Rome.

👐 Saving match points in the Round of 16
💪 Winning her QF AND SF on the same day
😮 Clinching a 1st WTA 1000 title 6-0, 6-0 in the final

A stunning week in Rome for the 19-year-old. pic.twitter.com/8PGa8TF1IJ

— wta (@WTA) May 16, 2021

Her biggest 𝘴𝘶𝘱𝘱𝘰𝘳𝘵𝘦𝘳𝘴 🤗@iga_swiatek | #IBI21 pic.twitter.com/tvGJz0i6Th

— wta (@WTA) May 16, 2021

Świątek routed 29-year-old Czech player Karolína Plíšková 6-0, 6-0 in the final in the Italian capital to claim her first WTA 1000 title and her third career singles title.

What a display 😱

The moment @iga_swiatek capped off an unbelievable 46-minute victory over the 2019 Rome champion 👏#IBI21 pic.twitter.com/qrWGTH3AUd

— wta (@WTA) May 16, 2021

🏆🇮🇹Incredible. Thank you for all kind words and messages. I will remember this week and the lessons I've learned. Grazie Roma!
🏆🇮🇹Dziękuję za wszystkie gratulacje i wiadomości.Ten tydzień (i lekcje, które odrobiłam) był dla mnie wyjątkowy i zapamiętam go na zawsze. Grazie Roma! pic.twitter.com/qYe5pSoFzu

— Iga Świątek (@iga_swiatek) May 16, 2021

The rising Polish tennis star in February won the Adelaide International tournament in Australia, earning her second singles title.

Świątek in October won the French Open, claiming her maiden Grand Slam title and becoming the first Pole to lift a Grand Slam singles trophy.

Looks familiar, huh @atptour? 👀 pic.twitter.com/uXK1pGlFb4

— wta (@WTA) May 16, 2021

Meanwhile, Poland's Magda Linette has dropped one spot to No. 47 in the latest rankings released on Monday by the Women's Tennis Association (WTA).

Australia’s Ashleigh Barty remains No. 1 in the world ranking, followed by Japan's Naomi Osaka and Romania’s Simona Halep.

(gs/pk)

Source: PAP