Iga Swiatek enjoyed an incredibly strong start to her Madrid Open campaign, beating Daria Snigur in straight sets.
Following a disappointing run at the Stuttgart Open, the Pole dominated during her opener in the Spanish capital, winning 6-1, 6-2.
Swiatek is working with a new coach, Francisco Roig, who has previously worked with 22-time Grand Slam champion Rafael Nadal.
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Roig’s first big change to the 24-year-old’s game as Wim Fissette’s successor has been with her service motion.
While the switch-up did not entirely go to plan in Stuttgart, Swiatek‘s serve was much better against Snigur, with a first serve win percentage of 78%.
Iga Swiatek reacts to her first win at the Madrid Open
Speaking to Sky Sports, Swiatek said: “I was supposed to serve like that in Stuttgart, but it was on and off!
“So, the last few days on the practice court I was really making sure my elbow was in the right position and I think today that was the first match where I felt it was how I wanted.
“The serve was great. I need to get used to the movement and that was a good step forward.
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“It was not an easy because of the rhythm. She plays without any top spin and really low, so the ball stays down and sometimes it was hard to make anything out of it.
“She wanted to use the opportunity to play fast, but I controlled the pace and was solid enough.”
Iga Swiatek admits she was ‘naive’ about her service change
Asked how difficult the change has been, Swiatek replied: “In Stuttgart I thought it was going to be a bit easier for my body to remember it on its own but, no, I still need to think about it a lot.
“Honestly, I was naive to think that way because one week is not enough for the body to remember the movements.
“I don’t care that it is the middle of the season because maybe it wasn’t that visible but we adjusted my serve a few times a year last year and it wasn’t a comfortable situation for me when I needed to change something.
“But still, the changes weren’t what we wanted in the end, they were just steps forward. Now I feel like I have made a big change, but I can stay with it for the next years if it goes well and just adjust little things, so I have much more belief in it.
“Honestly, I did not feel comfortable in Indian Wells and Miami with my serve so honestly I think it was the best time, just because of the feeling. I did not care it was before the clay, just because I wanted to feel good on my serve.”
Swiatek will take on either Alycia Parks or Ann Li in the next round of the Madrid Open.
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