Krejčíková scores major career success with Dubai title
The Czech tennis player Barbora Krejčíková has scored another major success. She beat the world’s top three players on her way to lifting the title at the Dubai Open at the weekend, a lucrative win that has seen her jump up the rankings.
Barbora Krejčíková, who is 27, was previously known as a doubles specialist. However, in recent seasons she has also become a major force in singles, never more so than when she won the French Open – her only Grand Slam to date – in 2021.
On Saturday the Czech scored the second most valuable title of her career, when she won the Dubai Open.
Her 6-4 6-2 victory over world number one Iga Swiatek of Poland was Krejčíková’s sixth WTA singles title. It was also her first of 2023 – and her first ever of a WTA 1000 category tournament.
Interestingly, Krejčíková has a good record against Swiatek, against whom she has played four times and won twice.
Saturday’s win earned the Czech around CZK 10 million and 900 points, with the second gain propelling her from 30th to 16th in the latest women’s world rankings. Her highest ever placing was second.
On her way to the Dubai Open title Krejčíková beat not only the world number one; she also overcame the number two, Aryna Sablenka, in the quarter-finals, and number three, Jessica Pegula, in the semis. She is only the fifth player ever to achieve that feat at a tournament.
Back in the second round the Czech had to save four match points against world no.8 Daria Kasatkina.
Following Saturday’s final, Krejčíková shared her joy in a special video message to fans published online by the WTA.
“I’m super happy with the way this tournament went for me. I think I was playing amazing tennis in the last couple of matches. I’m really happy that today was my day and that I won against Iga, which is always very difficult, and that I was lifting up the trophy. So I really want to thank you all for the support throughout the whole week.”
Of active Czech female players, Krejčíková has the third most WTA titles with six. Petra Kvitová is way out in front on 29, followed by Karolína Plišková with 16.
