Iga Swiatek full of praise for Ana Konjuh despite losing: ‘I think she’s a good example of a nice comeback’

Ana Konjuh continued her excellent run at the Miami Open as she claimed the scalp of French Open champion Iga Swiatek in the third round.
After accounting for 18th seed Madison Keys’ exit in the second round, Konjuh followed it up with a 6-4, 2-6, 6-2 win over Swiatek in two hours and 14 minutes.
KONJUH BELIEVE IT 🙌
🇭🇷 @anakonjuh defeats Swiatek to make it back-to-back Top 20 wins and reach Round 4 in Miami!#MiamiOpen pic.twitter.com/QqQ8NF2zML
— wta (@WTA) March 27, 2021
Once ranked in the top 20, the Croatian has slumped to No 338 in the WTA Rankings after four elbow surgeries and received a wildcard entry into the tournament.
However, she is making her way back up and was pleased with her mentality during the Swiatek match.
“I knew it was going to be tough,” she told . “I just told myself I need to stay and be offensive and not give her many chances. That second set maybe I screwed up a little bit, but overall, credit to her. You know, she stepped up her game. But I just wanted to stay mentally in it in those key moments just to be able to, you know, produce some great shots. I did that.”
Despite being disappointed with the defeat, Swiatek had nothing but kind words for Konjuh.
“The only thing I’m like angry about is my second serve because she was attacking it a lot of times, and I didn’t really have any idea what should I change.
“She put a lot of pressure on me, and that’s why I was making more double faults than usual… Yeah, I’m really happy for her that she’s playing so good after so many problems that she had. I think she’s a good example of a nice comeback and just believing in yourself. It’s really nice.”
Next up is Anastasija Sevastova, who advanced after third seed Simona Halep withdrew.
Meanwhile, top seed and defending champion Ashleigh Barty made it eight wins at the Miami Open as she beat former French Open champion Jelena Ostapenko 6-3, 6-2.
“Today felt like I was a lot sharper and switched on and ready to go from the very first point,” Barty said.
She will face fellow Grand Slam winner and three-time Miami champion Victoria Azarenka for a place in the quarter-final after the Belarusian beat Angelique Kerber 7-5, 6-2.
🤗 @vika7 🤗 @MiamiOpen 🤗
The three-time champ is through to Round 4, where she will face top seed Barty! pic.twitter.com/37MXDt7n67
— wta (@WTA) March 27, 2021
Fifth seed Elina Svitolina beat Ekaterina Alexandrova 7-6 (7-1), 6-4 and will face ninth seed Petra Kvitova in the fourth round after the Czech saw off British No 1 Johanna Konta 6-1, 6-2.
Follow us on Twitter @T365Official and like our Facebook page.
Latest
-
ATP Tour
Revealed: Novak Djokovic’s full financial loss after Covid vaccine decision
Novak Djokovic will miss the upcoming Miami Open and now the full cost of his decision to avoid taking a Covid-19 vaccine can be revealed.
-
WTA Tour
Iga Swiatek says she wasn’t at 100 percent for Elena Rybakina clash
Iga Swiatek has vowed not to play if she isn’t fully fit.
-
WTA Tour
Indian Wells set to stage Australian Open final rematch
Elena Rybakina and Aryna Sabalenka have set another showdown.
-
News
British tennis star Heather Watson catches the eye with revealing holiday pictures
Heather Watson, 30, leaves little to the imagination in her latest Instagram post.
-
ATP Tour
Final decision is made on Novak Djokovic’s bid to play in Miami
It has now been confirmed that Novak Djokovic will not be taking part in the Miami Open that starts next week.
-
WTA Tour
Elina Svitolina to return only five months after giving birth as comeback event is confirmed
Elina Svitolina all set for her comeback.
-
ATP Tour
When did Stefanos Tsitsipas decide to become a tennis player?
Stefanos Tsitsipas has leaned on his father for advice throughout his career.
-
ATP Tour
Taylor Fritz finds quarter-final defeat hard to stomach and girlfriend Morgan Riddle becomes a meme again
Taylor Fritz was gutted to fall on the cusp of the weekend.
-
Billie Jean King Cup
Emma Raducanu absent from settled British BJK Cup squad
Emma Raducanu is absent from an otherwise settled Billie Jean King Cup group for Great Britain.
-
French Open
Daniil Medvedev and Cameron Norrie are 2023’s clay court dark horses who could cause a French Open upset
Could Cameron Norrie become the first British man to win Roland Garros in the open era.