The Meteora World Tennis League is off to a blistering start, just as it promised to be. Day 1 churned out incredible action on the court, as Iga Swiatek took on Elena Rybakina. The clash between the Falcons and the Hawks delivered in every way and was a display of supreme skills. Given the level of tennis at play between the two titans of the WTA, even Casper Ruud and Hubert Hurkacz were left stunned.
Swiatek and Rybakina have forged an incredible rivalry in the last couple of years. Iga carried her winning momentum to Abu Dhabi after an exciting season of tennis. The two of them clashed in the singles rubber at the WTL, and the matchup lived up to fans’ expectations. Swiatek won the tie, but they clashed again in the super tiebreak.
Both Swiatek and Rybakina brought their best to the game. However, the Pole really played to her strengths, and in one particular instance, she left Rybakina reeling with a stunning backhand.
This point ??? pic.twitter.com/0qe3ohNfZ5
— Out of Context Iga Świątek (@SwiatekOOC) December 21, 2023
This point from Swiatek was met with thunderous applause from the spectators. She kept her cool and played an incredible shot under pressure to close the gap between the teams.
Moreover, Iga’s teammates, Hurkacz and Ruud, were also awestruck by her formidable display. Ruud’s and Hurkacz’s faces said it all, as Swiatek’s backhand left Hubert’s jaw hanging open. Casper was all smiles too, and fans loved their reactions as well.
Casper and Hubi faces 😁 https://t.co/WhIhueCYHt
— Susana Oliveira (@Susana_Olll) December 21, 2023
Ruud & Hurkacz’s reaction to Swiatek’s backhand. pic.twitter.com/sPqqD1dhzl
— Relevant Tennis (@RelevantTennis) December 21, 2023
Iga Swiatek and Elena Rybakina are two of the most exciting players, and their matches are always a delight to watch. This encounter was no different, as Rybakina got her team over the winning line.
How did Iga Swiatek and her team fare on Day 1?
The Falcons, led by Rybakina, snatched the win from the Hawks on Day 1. Taylor Fritz and Sumit Nagal started off the proceedings with a 7-6(6) win over Hurkacz and Ruud. Fritz and his partner, Sorana Cirstea, took the mixed doubles tie as well, and the Falcons seemed to be cruising.
Swiatek played the doubles rubber, partnering up with Caroline Garcia. Rybakina and Cirstea defeated the Hawks duo, winning their set 6-4. The Hawks managed to turn things in their favor in the singles ties, as Ruud thrashed Fritz 6-1. Swiatek took on Rybakina and defeated the Kazakh 6-4 to send the match into a super tiebreak.
The Falcons win in a super tiebreak 🍿
Elena Rybakina earns her team the win after taking down Iga Swiatek in the Super Shootout tiebreak 10-8. #WorldTennisLeague #WTL pic.twitter.com/XRLyF8DpA7
— Tennis Channel (@TennisChannel) December 21, 2023
In the WTL, all points get accumulated, and in the end, the team with the most points wins. Swiatek’s victory over Rybakina leveled the scores to 24-24. In the tiebreak, Elena thrashed Iga 10-8 to see her team through.
Iga Swiatek was phenomenal, even though the Hawks lost the match. Day 2 promises to be just as exciting as Day 1, as the Kites take on the Eagles.