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 vogue, 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 taking part in higher than final time, and I’ve a bit little bit of a greater concept what to do,” she stated. “I used to be additionally serving higher than final time, and I used to be simply making an attempt to focus, to do one thing, to carry my serve first, to get a bit bit extra forward and preserve being forward on a regular basis, as a result of then you definitely would possibly get an opportunity right here and there, and ultimately I did.
“I feel that’s what was crucial—to essentially keep robust 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 bit bit extra. I needed to begin hitting a bit bit quicker, to push her a bit bit extra again. Don’t give her area.”
Linette has additionally been working with former World No. 2 and Wimbledon finalist Agnieszka Radwanska, recognized to these within the know as “The Ninja.”
She defined how Radwanska’s affect has helped her turn out to be extra aggressive together with her forehand.
“I’ve modified quite a bit,” she stated. “I modified my forehand nearly fully, so I’m a bit bit extra capable of compete with these prime gamers as a result of I’m taking part in 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, now we have to alter it.’ She helped me technically, what to do, created workouts to alter it throughout play.
“I feel what was nice is that [Mark Gellard and Aga] had nice communication, that one may convey a brand new concept. All of us trusted her—that she’s proper.”
Linette will face Alexandra Eala within the third spherical in Miami.
