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Iga Swiatek is simulatenously the best offensive and defensive player on tour, according to Tennis Channel announcer Geoffrey Chizever. Chizever joined host Mitch Michals on the 'Tennis Channel Inside-In' podcast to discuss his views.
World No. 1 Iga Swiatek continued her dominant run in the Middle East by reaching the finals of the Dubai Tennis Championships where she will take on Barbora Krejcikova. It is her second consecutive final after her title win at the Qatar Open.
Podcast host Mitch Michals commented on Swiatek's dominance over her opponents, as she has won most of her matches in completely one-sided encounters. Michals gave the example of Jessica Pegula who lost the first set to Swiatek 6-3 in the Qatar Open final only to subsequently lose the second set 6-0.
"It's kind of remarkable to see her handle all these moments with ease," said Michals.
Geoffrey Chizever revealed that as a Tennis Channel broadcaster, he is aware that they have to choose which matches will be broadcast when they are running simultaneously. He expressed shock at tennis fans complaining about having to watch Iga Swiatek crush her opponents with claims that it made the WTA boring.
Michals chimed in saying that the Pole's recent performances are similar to the dominance once shown by Serena Williams.
"It sounds a lot like Serena actually," Michals commented.
Chizever concurred with the host's statement and said that he hasn't seen such a spectacle since Williams was on tour.
"I don't remember a time when the spectacle has been how many games is the opponent going to get, Chizever added.
Michals then posed the question of whether Iga Swiatek was the best offensive and defensive player simultaneously of all the players on tour, and Chizever immediately replied in the affirmative.
"Is she the best offensive and defensive players at the same time on tour?," Michals asked.
The host added that while there may be better offensive players than Swiatek, there aren't many defensive players who can better her. The combination of her offensive and defensive skills puts her on top.
"But the combination is pretty insane," Michals added.
Geoffrey Chizever added that while players like Elena Rybakina and Aryna Sabalenka were more powerful in their offense, it didn't make them better offensive players. He said that the World No. 1's heavier forehand, western grip and more dynamic playstyle made her a bigger offensive threat.
"Iga's offense is more dynamic I'd say," Chizever said.
Iga Swiatek's biggest competition in Grand Slam tournaments will be Elena Rybakina and Aryna Sabalenka, says tennis commentator
Geoffrey Chizever said that Elena Rybakina and Aryna Sabalenka will be Iga Swiatek's biggest threats at the hard court Grand Slam tournaments. He recalled that Sabaleka pushed the World No. 1 to three sets in the 2022 US Open semifinals while Rybakina ousted Swiatek from the 2023 Australian Open.
Michals added that Swiatek would win the majority of her Major titles at the French Open. He provided an example of her dominance over Coco Gauff in the 2022 Roland Garros final where she broke down the American's forehand completely.
"Who can beat her on clay?," Michals asked.
When discussing how many Grand Slam titles they expected Iga Swiatek to win in her career, Mitch Michals predicted 15 titles while Geoffrey Chizever anticipated 8-9 titles for the Pole.
