World No 1 Swiatek leads Kites into World Tennis League exhibition final

The Pole was in dominant form as she brushed aside Aryna Sabalenka in straight sets and the Kites will take on the Hawks, led by Alexander Zverev, for the title

Zuma/Panoramic

Simon Cambers

December 23, 2022

Just because it’s an exhibition, that doesn’t mean Iga Swiatek is going to take it easy.

On Friday, the world No 1 crushed No 5 Aryna Sabalenka 6-1, 6-3 as the Kites saw off the Falcons 36-26 to assure themselves of a place in the final of the World Tennis League in Dubai on Friday.

The agility and skills of Iga Swiatek 💯
📹WTLpic.twitter.com/IMug6W3H8F
— Llama 𝕊𝕒𝕪𝕤 ☄🌠🚀 (@tennis_lol) December 23, 2022

Earlier, Sania Mirza joined forces with Holger Rune to beat Grigor Dimitrov and Paula Badosa 6-2, 4-6, 10-5 to set the Kites on their way.

And after Swiatek’s win, not even Novak Djokovic could do anything about it, the former world No 1’s 6-7, 6-0, 10-7 win over Sebastian Offner too little too late for the Falcons.

The Kiutes will take on the Hawks in Saturday’s final. Alexander Zverev led the Hawks to victory over the Eagles on Friday, beating Andreas Seppi 6-4, 6-2.