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Iga Swiatek successfully defended her Stuttgart Open title on Sunday, April 23, by defeating World No. 2 Aryna Sabalenka in the final.
Swiatek got the better of Sabalenka in straight sets, 6-3, 6-4, after having defeated her 6-2, 6-2 in the title match in 2022. This was Sabalenka's third consecutive final defeat in Stuttgart; she also lost to Ashleigh Barty in 2021.
Swiatek now has two singles titles in 2023, after the Qatar Open, and 13 overall on the WTA tour.
Following her defeat, Sabalenka passed by Swiatek's newly won Porsche car. She then jokingly swung the runner-up trophy at it, appearing to try to smash the 21-year-old's car.
Check out the video here:
"Can I make a deal? If I make another final, just get an extra car" - Aryna Sabalenka
Aryna Sabalenka reached her third consecutive final at the Stuttgart Open this year, having previously reached the finals in 2021 and 2022. She was defeated by then World No. 1 Ashleigh Barty and current World No. 1 Iga Swiatek respectively in the previous two finals.
In light of this, Sabalenka joked with the tournament's sponsors and proposed a deal where she received a Porsche car if she reached another final in Stuttgart, irrespective of who won.
"I have a question to the sponsors of the tournament and the tournament director and everyone who makes this event possible. Can I make a deal? If I make another final, just get an extra car. Guys I really try to play in the final and leaving this tournament without the car," the Belarussian said in her on-court interview.
The 24-year-old quickly added that she enjoys playing in the WTA 500 tournament and that despite her disappointment at losing her third consecutive final, it was still a great event for her.
"But anyway, thank you very much for making this amazing tournament happen," she added. "I really enjoy playing here, not that much right now because I lost in the third final. Straightaway it hurts but it's a great tournament."
Sabalenka and Swiatek are next expected to compete in the 2023 Madrid Open, which begins on April 25.
