WUHAN, China : Iga Swiatek’s Wuhan Open campaign ended in a painful semi-final defeat on Saturday as a left-leg injury hampered the six-time Grand Slam champion in a 7-5 6-1 loss to Polish compatriot and childhood friend Maja Chwalinska.
Chwalinska will face Britain’s Sonay Kartal in Sunday’s final after Kartal beat Jelena Ostapenko 7-6(9) 7-6(5) in the other semi-final. Both finalists will be competing in their first WTA 1000 final.
Swiatek led 5-3 in the opening set but Chwalinska saved two set points and moved ahead 6-5, prompting the world number two to take a medical timeout.
Swiatek returned with her left thigh bandaged but struggled to push off and chase shots. She played on to the finish, then shared a quiet handshake with Chwalinska, whom she has known since they were 10. The pair had not faced each other competitively for a decade.
Swiatek’s physiotherapist Maciej Ryszczuk said on X that he had urged her three times to stop because continuing posed a risk to her health, but would support her decision to play on.
Chwalinska, who partnered Swiatek in junior doubles and was runner-up at the French Open, said she was overwhelmed by the victory.
“She is a great champion, living legend, she won everything. So it was a great honour for me to share the court with her today,” she said.
Swiatek’s exit also secured world number six Elina Svitolina’s place at next month’s WTA Finals. Svitolina became the seventh player to qualify, leaving one spot still available.
KARTAL OUTLASTS ERROR-PRONE OSTAPENKO
Kartal rallied from 4-1 down in both sets to beat former French Open champion Ostapenko, who struggled with 41 unforced errors.
The Latvian squandered two leads and hit the court with her racket in frustration after a series of wayward and netted shots. She also served two consecutive double faults while trying to close out the first set.
Kartal, ranked 136 places below Ostapenko, stayed composed to reach her second tour-level final. The 24-year-old returned in September after a six-month absence with a back injury.
“At times she is unplayable and sometimes you just have to ride the wave. Mentally, I think this is one of the best performances I’ve had in my career,” Kartal said.
