Iga Swiatek’s five-year streak ends after Miami defeat to Magda Linette

Iga Swiatek’s stunning milestone has finally been broken after her Thursday defeat to Magda Linette at the Miami Open.

Swiatek had won 73 consecutive opening round matches before this loss, a run stretching back to 2021. It underlined her dominance and reliability in early rounds across all tournaments.

This time, however, she was unable to maintain that level. Linette produced a composed and resilient performance to secure a turnaround, winning 1-6, 7-5, 6-3 in Miami.

Magda Linette fights back from set down to end Iga Swiatek streak

The match was far from straightforward, with Swiatek initially in control. She dominated the opening set 6-1, breaking twice and winning the vast majority of points behind her first serve.

However, Linette shifted the momentum in the second set. She secured a crucial break and held firm to take it 7-5, forcing the contest into a decider.

From there, the Polish world number 50 took command. Linette moved into a 5-2 lead in the third set and, despite Swiatek saving two match points, closed out a 6-3 victory on her fourth opportunity.

First opening round loss since 2021 WTA Finals

The last time that Swiatek has lost an opening round match was in November 2021. On that occasion, she was beaten 6-2, 6-4 by Maria Sakkari at the WTA Finals.

Since then, Swiatek had built a reputation for fast starts, routinely progressing through the early stages of tournaments without disruption.

That consistency has been central to her rise at the top of the game. It was amid that stretch that the Polish star won five of her six Grand Slams.

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