2023 WTA Stuttgart 500

[Vamos Carlos Alcaraz]

I have no idea who will win today, could go either way - should be an interesting match! I do wish that Sabalenka would calm down though!

 

[ScottleeSV]

I have no idea either. Any other surface I would say Sabalenka.

I think Swiatek will win today but much closer than prior. Big pressure on her though. Lose this and she unlocks the path to no 1 for Sabalenka (psychologically at this stage).

 

[Lozo1016]

Since the beginning of 2020 Roland Garros, Swiatek is 40-3 on clay. I'm not going against Iga on the dirt, tho I think Sabalenka can grab a set.

 

[Aussie Darcy]

Just tuning in for the final now. Finally getting to watch some tennis.

Number 1 vs number 2.

French Open & US Open champ vs Aus Open champ.

 

[Aussie Darcy]

Both players are going for their 13th career title which would put them at a standalone 9th most titles of current players. Currently it's a 4 way go between Zvonareva, Pavlyuchenkova and these 2 for equal 9th most titles.

 

[Lozo1016]

Match living up to the hype so far.

 

[ScottleeSV]

Great stuff so far.

 

[Dominic & Andrey]

Good match

 

[Aussie Darcy]

Very tight contest so far.

On serve, 3-2 for Swiatek, already 32 minutes gone by. No breaks.

 

[Dominic & Andrey]

At their best, these two are clearly a level above anyone else.

 

[Lozo1016]

Gonna be tough for Sabalenka to keep holding against Iga's strong return if Iga's serving so well on her end.

 

[Lozo1016]

At their best, these two are clearly a level above anyone else.

I guess you're not buying the idea that the "WTA Big 3" is Swiatek, Sabalenka, and Rybakina?

 

[Aussie Darcy]

Oh my gosh Sabalenka had the sitter multiple times and doesn't do enough and ends up hitting the error into the net to give Swiatek break point!

 

[Aussie Darcy]

At their best, these two are clearly a level above anyone else.

Nah, can't discount Krejcikova and Rybakina.

I know Krejcikova has lost to Sabalenka consecutively in Indian Wells, Miami and this week in Stuttgart but Barbora won Dubai beating both Sabalenka and Swiatek (Pegula and Kvitova as well). And she also beat Swiatek in that epic Ostrava final.

 

[Aussie Darcy]

Stunning from Iga and she gets the first break of the match and she'll serve for the first set.

 

[Aussie Darcy]

Swiatek just too good to finish the first set and she takes it 6-3.

52 minute first set.

 

[Dominic & Andrey]

Iga really reads Aryna's serve really well.

 

[Aussie Darcy]

Sabalenka with a double fault to give Swiatek the break to start the 2nd.

Ahh not good for Aryna.

 

[Winners or Errors]

C'mon Iga. Set and a break. Keep your foot on the accelerator.

 

[Dominic & Andrey]

Sabalenka is playing well for the most part, but she makes some errors that Iga does not commit.

 

[Lozo1016]

Sabalenka finally wins a game after dropping 5 straight.

 

[Aussie Darcy]

Sabalenka finally with her first break point of the match.

 

[Aussie Darcy]

Sabalenka just went RIGHT at Swiatek, had the entire court to hit to but decided to belt right at Iga.

Ouch.

 

[Lozo1016]

Sabalenka finally with her first break point of the match.

That might've been her opportunity.

 

[Dominic & Andrey]

Sabalenka just went RIGHT at Swiatek, had the entire court to hit to but decided to belt right at Iga.

Ouch.

To be fair what was doing Iga running at the net like that lol, that was awkward.

 

[Aussie Darcy]

Feels like the scoreline of this one won't properly reflect the match.

Not a poor match by Sabalenka but could lose this 6-3 6-2.

 

[Aussie Darcy]

Swiatek gets the hold and she's a game away from defending her title.

6-3 5-3.

 

[Lozo1016]

Feels like the scoreline of this one won't properly reflect the match.

Not a poor match by Sabalenka but could lose this 6-3 6-2.

The first 6-7 games were awesome, I thought we were gonna get a classic.

 

[Dominic & Andrey]

Now or never for Sabalenka to come back.

 

[Aussie Darcy]

Iga Swiatek is the Stuttgart 2023 champion.

Defends the title by defeating #2 Sabalenka 6-3 6-4.

Showing why she's the number 1 in the world and wins her 2nd title of the year.

 

[ScottleeSV]

Masterclass. Looks so so good on clay.

 

[Dominic & Andrey]

Congrats to Iga ! Her aggression combined with her error-free game is still a deadly combination.
A bit disappointed for Sabalenka though, thought she had the opportunity to make this closer by winning a few important points.
Competitive and high level match despite the score.

 

[NaomiKonjuhPotapova]

Iga is just superb on the return. Might be more challenge for Rome and Paris compared to last year, but likely she will win again.

 

[D-Lite]

Swiatek is champion in Stuttgart for the second consecutive year, once again defeating Sabalenka in straight sets.

Sabalenka is RU in Stuttgart for the third consecutive year.

 

[Aussie Darcy]

Sabalenka again the bridesmaid in Stuttgart.

Runner up to Barty in 2021
Runner to to Swiatek in 2022
And again, runner up to Swiatek in 2023.

 

[Aussie Darcy]

Hilarious by Sabalenka in her runner up speech.

"Can we just make a deal that if I make another final that I get a car too?"

3 years in a row she's the runner up, she understandably wants that Porsche!

 

[Dominic & Andrey]

Iga played a great match so overall Sabalenka should be pleased with her level.
Probably one of the best matches of this tournament. I would maybe just put Jabeur vs Ostapenko above it.

 

[ScentOfDefeat]

Anke Huber.

 

[ktx]

Missed the match but I am glad Iga is having a good season on clay. I saw somewhere a few months ago that she modified her serve motion a little bit, maybe eliminating the hitch? And we know Aryna fixed her serve mechanics. (So Coco take note - you can make technical changes and keep playing through it.)

 

[ScottleeSV]

13 titles for Iga and not one of them a 250.

That's Emma's philosophy too.

 

[volleyandfun]

13 titles for Iga and not one of them a 250.

That's Emma's philosophy too.

That explains why she didn't win Lugano and Warsaw

 

[Nostradamus]

Rune will win 20 majors

 

[volleyandfun]

Rune will win 20 majors

No way Hoze, he is too temperamental

 

[gogo]

To be fair what was doing Iga running at the net like that lol, that was awkward.

https://twitter.com/x/status/1650117495150485508

 

[ScottleeSV]

That tactic was sound. It could have put Sabalenka off, or at close range the ball could have hit Swiatek's raquet. Worth a shot.

 

[Connor35]

I guess you're not buying the idea that the "WTA Big 3" is Swiatek, Sabalenka, and Rybakina?

Rybakina and Sabalenka CAN play amazingly well
But both are also very inconsistent -- unlike the world #1

 

[Bill Lobsalot]

So glad the screamer lost. Iga quietly knocked her out.

 

[volleyandfun]

To be fair what was doing Iga running at the net like that lol, that was awkward.

Awkward? She has the right to be anywhere on her side of tennis court. Plus, I think it's a good strategy
Like the commentator said, it looked like Sabalenka's deliberate attempt to hit Iga.

 

[Connor35]

Awkward? She has the right to be anywhere on her side of tennis court. Plus, I think it's a good strategy
Like the commentator said, it looked like Sabalenka's deliberate attempt to hit Iga.

Agree. I do this a lot on short balls.
And 100% accept if my opponent drills me
(admittedly I played hockey goalie for 25 years before switching to tennis)

 

[Clay lover]

With Swiatek I'm afraid we have to go through a few more cycles of Iga silencing everyone with her clay play then losing on hard and people coming out of the woodwork, pretending to be surprised and saying she's overrated