- Pole wins 6-3, 6-4 in repeat of 2022 final
- Swiatek pulled out of last two tournaments with injury
World No 1 Iga Swiatek cruised past Aryna Sabalenka 6-3 6-4 to win the Stuttgart Open on Sunday in a repeat of last year’s final, to confirm her status as a French Open favourite.
The Pole, back from injury and gearing up for her French Open title defence next month, and world No 2 Sabalenka traded powerful baseline blows before Swiatek earned a second breakpoint at 4-3. She whipped a superb forehand down the line to go 5-3 up before easily holding serve to clinch the first set on her second set point.