Iga Swiatek is well and truly up and running at the Qatar Open, winning her opener 6-0, 6-3 against Janice Tjen.
Tjen had just done something similar to Beatriz Haddad Maia at the Qatar Open, clinching a shock 6-0, 6-1 win after her initial first round opponent Sorana Cirstea withdrew.
But the Indonesian was no match for Swiatek, who produced a ruthless display to emerge victorious after one hour and nine minutes.
WTA number two Swiatek has a fantastic Qatar Open record, with the Pole currently chasing her fourth career title in Doha.
She has started in fantastic fashion, showing little mercy against Tjen, with Swiatek discussing the rapid first set afterwards.
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Iga Swiatek makes no apologies after 6-0 set win in Qatar
It was put to Swiatek by the media: “This is your 36th 6-0 set in WTA 1000 events, the most for any player. Have you ever felt sorry or like giving one game away at a certain point?”
She replied: “I think when I was younger, I felt that way.
“But later on, you know, you just want to win it.
“It’s sports, so it doesn’t make sense to stop or play 80%. I’m here to perform my best.
“I also always felt it wouldn’t be respectful towards the opponent to give them something because we’re here to play our best.
“I always just try to focus on myself and that’s it.”
Qatar Open draw opens up for multiple champion Iga Swiatek
It’s a phenomenal record from Swiatek, who has been the clear leader when it comes to 6-0 sets in recent times.
She’ll be hoping for another against Daria Kasatkina, who has already managed two from her two Qatar Open matches so far.
Still, top seed Swiatek arguably represents the favorite to win not only that match, but the entire WTA 1000 tournament.
READ MORE: Iga Swiatek says how Janice Tjen is like Ash Barty after Qatar Open win
She’s playing her first event since her Australian Open quarterfinal exit to Elena Rybakina, who is also in Doha this week.
But the recent Grand Slam champion now faces a very tough test against Qinwen Zheng, who has made a successful return from injury.
Playing in her first tournament since September, the Olympic gold medalist has already knocked out American duo Sofia Kenin and Alycia Parks.
The fact that one of Rybakina or Zheng will now exit the event is a boost for Swiatek, with young stars Mirra Andreeva and Victoria Mboko also meeting in the quarterfinals.
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None of the four players are in Swiatek’s half of the Qatar Open draw, which has really opened up for the six-time Grand Slam champion.
Swiatek had the potential to meet the likes of Coco Gauff, Amanda Anisimova and Jasmine Paolini, but all three are already out of Doha.
Intriguingly, however, her old nemesis Jelena Ostapenko remains in the draw, with the Latvian having beaten Swiatek in last year’s semifinal before losing the final to Anisimova.
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