OSTRAVA, Czech Republic (AP) — No. 1-ranked Iga Swiatek became the first WTA Tour player since 2017 to achieve 60 wins in a calendar year when she reached yet another final on Saturday in the Czech Republic.
It wasn't easy at the Agel Open. Swiatek was second best to Ekaterina Alexandrova in winners and service breaks but prevailed 7-6 (5), 2-6, 6-4 in a 2 1/2-hour semifinal.
Her eighth final of the year — she's undefeated — is against home favorite Barbora Krejcikova, the first Czech to make the Ostrava final in its three-year history.
Former French Open champion Krejcikova thrilled the spectators with a comeback win against Wimbledon champion Elena Rybakina by 3-6, 7-6 (4), 6-4 in 2 hours, 21 minutes.
Swiatek and Alexandrova couldn't break each other in their first set but the Pole held her nerve better in the tiebreak.