World number one Iga Swiatek was challenged by world No.69 Jule Niemeier in the first round of the 2023 Australian Open, but managed to advance in straight sets 6-4 7-5.
The first set went with serve until the final game, when Swiatek earned her first two break points in the match and converted the second one when Niemeier hit a volley into the net. This set was very close and only a couple of better executions in crucial moments gave Swiatek the edge, for example when she saved two break points that Niemeier earned midway through the set.
Confirming our claim that Niemeier and Swiatek played a close opening set was the fact that the 23-year-old German opened the second set with a break, which could be called “a break back”, although with imperfect timing. Still, it was a good new starting point for Niemeier. The underdog kept the lead until 5-4, and as she was serving for the set, Swiatek broke her serve to level. Then we knew the momentum absolutely switched to the favorite.
The top-seeded Swiatek held at love for a 6-5 lead and converted her first match point in the following game on Niemeier’s serve.
Swiatek’s second-round opponent will be Camila Osorio of Colombia, who advanced with a 6-4 6-1 victory over Panna Udvardy of Hungary.
