Magda Linette received simply two video games in her earlier assembly with compatriot Iga Swiatek. That was 2023—that is now.
On Thursday in Miami, the 34-year-old flipped the script in gorgeous trend, rallying from a set all the way down to defeat the previous Miami champion and six-time main winner, 1-6, 7-5, 6-3.
The victory snapped Swiatek’s run of 73 consecutive wins in opening matches at WTA-level occasions, and marked Linette’s seventh profession Prime 5 victory.
Swiatek had not misplaced a gap match at any occasion since falling to Maria Sakkari on the 2021 WTA Finals.
Linette, in the meantime, improved to 9-2 in deciding units in 2026.
What did the No. 50-ranked Linette do to show her fortunes round?
“I’m enjoying higher than final time, and I’ve a little bit little bit of a greater thought what to do,” she stated. “I used to be additionally serving higher than final time, and I used to be simply attempting to focus, to do one thing, to carry my serve first, to get a little bit bit extra forward and hold being forward on a regular basis, as a result of then you definately may get an opportunity right here and there, and ultimately I did.
“I feel that’s what was a very powerful—to actually keep sturdy on my service video games.”
After going through early stress on serve, Linette was not damaged throughout the ultimate two units of the match.
She broke Swiatek within the twelfth sport of the second set—the one break of the set—and received 4 of the ultimate 5 video games within the third.
“I simply needed to go for a little bit bit extra. I needed to begin hitting a little bit bit sooner, to push her a little bit bit extra again. Don’t give her area.”
Linette has additionally been working with former World No. 2 and Wimbledon finalist Agnieszka Radwanska, identified to these within the know as “The Ninja.”
She defined how Radwanska’s affect has helped her turn into extra aggressive along with her forehand.
“I’ve modified rather a lot,” she stated. “I modified my forehand virtually fully, so I’m a little bit bit extra capable of compete with these high gamers as a result of I’m enjoying a lot flatter. I don’t actually have the physicality anymore to run round for my spin forehand, so I needed to change it.
“She got here in and stated, ‘Hear, we now have to alter it.’ She helped me technically, what to do, created workout routines to alter it throughout play.
“I feel what was nice is that [Mark Gellard and Aga] had nice communication, that one might carry a brand new thought. All of us trusted her—that she’s proper.”
Linette will face Alexandra Eala within the third spherical in Miami.
