Former WTA #1 Laura Robson has explained why Iga Swiatek has not found her feet on grass courts as she incurred a disappointing loss against Yulia Putintseva in the third round of Wimbledon.
The Pole admitted after the match she gassed out against Kazakh in her latest Wimbledon woe. Riding on the back of 21-match win streak, Swiatek was looking in fine touch to crack at least last 16 after taking first frame but Putintseva broke her serve twice in second set to create some balance in odds.
The World No. 1 Swiatek took a break before the deciding set and upon her return she faced boos from a rowdy crowd. The crowd antics seemed to have an effect on top seed’s game as Putintseva rallied the crowd behind her to clinch 3-6, 6-1, 6-2 win on her third Mp.
It was another disappointing result for 3-time Roland Garros champion on grass and tennis analyst Robson feels the Swiatek faces different challenge on grass compared to other surfaces.
“Her shots are naturally spinny and her forehand grip is quite extreme,” Robson said at a Play Your Way To Wimbledon event.
“It means she plays with a lot of topspin and on grass that sits up a bit more for the opponent.
“So the spin that works so well for her on other surfaces, especially on clay, might not be quite so effective on grass, so she just needs to hit down on the ball more.
“I’m sure she will get it right. We are talking about minor adjustments.
“She is such a great frontrunner and so mentally strong. You back her to handle these situations when the pressure is applied.”
The Polish star will now have to wait for another year to hone skills and try luck at the All England Club. Meanwhile, her impressive opponent Putintseva insisted that she took no issues with her Swiatek’s extended break after the second set.
The hostile sections of Court #1 crowd were then agitated further by 4-time Grand Slam champion spending more time on selecting her racket but the delaying tactics didn’t bother the inspired Kazakh to player her best tennis in third frame.
“I was not annoyed, but she took a lot of time off the court,” said the Kazakhstani.
“I don’t know what the rules are. She just went to the toilet break. I don’t know like what happened or how many minutes she was taking.
“Honestly at some point, I was so bored. I thought she was coming. Then I was like moving, moving, she’s not there. Again moving, she’s not there. I was kind of getting bored.
“Then I was just super excited about the third set that I was playing so well.
“I was just giving it a roll. I was not rushing on purpose. Honestly, I think every time I’m playing my service game, I’m not taking much time. I never wanted to go for a towel or anything. I’m just going.”
Putintseva will now face Latvian Jelena Ostapenko, with the top half of the women’s draw still looking loaded with talents like Danielle Collins and Barbora Krejcikova who can battle in the next round. Jelena Ostapenko and former Wimbledon champion Elena Rybakina are also in the same half of the draw.