Iga Swiatek\u2019s first hard-court stint with coach Francisco Roig has begun with a National Bank Open presented by Rogers semifinal.<\/p>\n
The world No. 8 brought Roig in prior to the clay season following a second-round loss in Miami, ending a WTA-best string of 73 consecutive opening matches won \u2013 a streak that lasted five years. However, with the Spaniard a part of her team, Swiatek is looking like the player who has won eight \u201cBig\u201d hard-court event titles, including the Sunshine Double and US Open in 2022.<\/p>\n
The former world No. 1 conceded just six games through her opening two matches in Toronto. Then, after losing the first set to world No. 11 Marta Kostyuk in round four, the seventh seed dropped only three games the rest of the way<\/a>.<\/p>\n Monday\u2019s victory over Diana Shnaider<\/a> was Swiatek\u2019s most convincing of the tournament, dispatching the No. 15 seed in 64 minutes<\/a> \u2013 the quickest win of her run thus far. Something is beginning to click again on hard court alongside Roig, starting with the six-time major champion being patient, yet aggressive, over the course of her matches.<\/p>\n \u201cHere, I feel like I already got more into my habit and it became more natural. That’s definitely how I want to play, to have more patience,\u201d Swiatek said in a press conference on Aug. 10 in Toronto. \u201cI feel like I was playing a little bit too flat and fast sometimes last year, making risky decisions. What I’m trying to do now is more my game. I feel like the work with [Roig] for sure helps, and I feel like the most stressful part of the season is over.\u201d<\/p>\n