WARSAW, Jan. 22 (Xinhua) -- Poland's Iga Swiatek beat Timea Babos 6-3, 6-2 on Wednesday to reach the second round of the Australian Open on her first showing after a lengthy absense.
It was difficult to predict whether Swiatek would show her best tennis, as the 18-year-old had had an injury-enforced absense from competition since August 2019.
However, against Babos she started strongly and controlled the match, winning the opening three games and closing out the first set in just 30 minutes.
Swiatek continued her momentum in the second set and saw out the match with relative ease.
"During the whole match I didn't really have any lapses in concentration. I am most satisfied with my service and how I managed to dominate my opponent and didn't let her play her tennis. I am very happy, I just felt the ball and everything came out," Swiatek told Polish media.
Swiatek's coach Piotr Sierzputowski was full of praise for his player. "I am very happy," he said. "This result was not caused by the poor form of the opponent because Timea played really well. Iga pressed in those moments when it was necessary to and I am happy with it."
