Iga Swiatek came through one of her toughest matches in recent times to triumph in Sunday's (September 21) Korea Open final against Ekaterina Alexandrova.
The six-time Grand Slam winner beat her opponent 1-6 7-6 (7-3) 7-5 in a gruelling two-hour-and-45-minute contest to become champion in what was her first career appearance in Seoul.
This was also the 24-year-old's first tournament appearance since her disappointing quarter-final exit at the US Open.
Swiatek's recovery in the Korean capital was remarkable considering the poor start she got off to.
The world no. 2 was broken in her first service game of the opening two sets and lost her serve first in the decider.
Alexandrova had two opportunities to break the top seed at 4-4 in the final set, but she was unable to convert both chances.
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Swiatek would then convert the second of two match points on the second seed's serve in the 12th and final game to take home her third title of 2025.
The Pole's victory came despite winning 11 fewer opponents than her opponent and committing nine double faults.
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Special milestone reached for Swiatek in Korea
Swiatek's latest tournament victory is a memorable one, as it is the 25th tour-level title triumph of her professional career.
This makes the Pole the first male or female tennis player born after 2000 to reach a quarter century in tour-level titles.
Iga's 25th career title 🤩🏆@iga_swiatek | #KoreaOpen pic.twitter.com/7A5y0B6Mw7
— wta (@WTA) September 21, 2025
Also, there was a personal connection to the 24-year-old's participation at the WTA 500 event, as her father, Tomasz, competed for Poland as a rower at the 1988 Summer Olympic Games in Seoul.
Post-victory, Swiatek touched on her family's connection to the Korean capital and how special it was for her to win in the city.
"I'm happy that I could win here because of the family history. My dad couldn't win the Olympics, but at least I won this tournament," she said in her on-court interview.
Swiatek also credited Alexandrova with competing at a high level in the final and expressed hope for more battles with her on the court in the future.
"Honestly, I don't know how I won it, because you (Alexandrova) were just playing great. I just tried to stay alive."
"Hopefully, we're going to play more finals. It's always tough against you, it's also entertaining."
Swiatek will be looking to add more titles to her resume for the remainder of 2025, with her next opportunity set to come at the upcoming China Open.
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