Iga Swiatek and Aryna Sabalenka set Stuttgart rematch

In a rare repeat occurrence, we will see the final of the 2022 Porsche Tennis Grand Prix repeated after Iga Swiatek and Aryna Sabalenka won their semi-finals on Saturday.

Swiatek advanced after Ons Jabeur retired injured but earlier Sabalenka cruised to a 6-1, 6-2 victory over Anastasia Potapova to seal her place in the final for the third successive season.

Sabalenka needed only 58 minutes to dismiss Potapova in the first career meeting between the friends.

The Australian Open winner was eager to shut down Potapova and not allow her into the match at all.

Potapova had been seeking her third straight Top 10 win this week, having knocked off No 6 Coco Gauff and No 5 Caroline Garcia in her previous two matches in Stuttgart.

“I think I was really focused, and I think from the very first point I was playing really aggressive,” Sabalenka said after the match.

“I didn’t give [Potapova] much time. I think that’s why the match finished like that quick. But anyway, she’s a great player, and I think in the future she’s going to be a top player.”

Sabalenka hit 15 winners to Potapova’s six in the first set and was equally dominant in the second and that saw the match quickly wrapped up.

The Belarusian believes that she is a different player from the one who lost to Swiatek in Stuttgart last year.

“Last year I was struggling a lot with a lot of things, especially my serve,” Sabalenka said. “This year I feel like a different player, different person right now. So I feel I’m much calmer on court.”

Later on Saturday, Swiatek advanced to her second straight Porsche Tennis Grand Prix final after world No 4 Ons Jabeur was forced to retire down 3-0 early in the first set.

Jabeur said that she felt soemthing give in her calf during an early point and soon realised that she couldn’t continue.

“The third point, I don’t know what happened,” Jabeur said. “I was really excited to play Iga today, it’s always a fun matchup between us. I wish her the best luck for the final.

“I’m sorry guys, I really tried to run, but Iga never makes it easy.”

Swiatek was faced with a surreal interview after just a handful of games, but she said that she expects them to share man more battles.

“I don’t know what Ons’ situation is, but I really respect the fact that she came out and she tried and she wanted to see how it’s going to go,” Swiatek said.

“I told her we’re probably going to play the Roland Garros final, so we’ll see each other there. She’s a fighter, so she’s going to be back quick. I just hope it’s nothing serious.”

Swiatek expects a massive match against Sabalenka, who has been in great touch this term.

“Aryna is a great player and she’s in great shape,” Swiatek said.

“I have to be ready to play my best tennis. For sure, this surface is — we both like clay court — but it’s a little bit faster than most of the clay courts. I’m gonna have to be ready on my return and just for the fast pace.”