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Bernarda Pera is very excited about playing Iga Swiatek as the American is hoping to clinch the biggest win of her career when she meets the world No 1. Pera, 28, is enjoying a career-high ranking of No 32 in the world and last year she had the second-longest winning streak on clay - the American won 10 matches in a row and captured back-to-back titles in Budapest and Hamburg.
Swiatek, 21, had the longest winning streak on clay last year as the Pole went 18 consecutive matches on the dirt without a loss. On Sunday, Pera will be taking on Swiatek in the Madrid third round. “Very excited. It’s going to be a test for me.
I’m looking forward to the big court, the crowd. To see where I’m at against the best player," Pera told the WTA website.
'Late bloomer' Pera hopes to get a win against Swiatek
After winning her maiden WTA title in mid-June in Budapest, Pera also won her second title the following week in Hamburg.
Now, Pera is also enjoying a career-high ranking. Pera may be close to her thirties but she playing now the tennis of her life. “I started to play well, started to believe in myself. I had a lot of confidence in my game and just went for my shots.
I think I just relaxed a little. I’m getting older, wiser, probably. I would hope so. I’m a late bloomer. But definitely feels like all the hard work is finally paying off," Pera explained. After winning back-to-back clay titles in Budapest and Hamburg, Pera also finished as runner-up at a WTA hard-court event in Concord and also made the Cleveland semifinal.
But clay remains Pera's top surface. “I have big swings. It gives me time to swing freely. Instead of having to shorten my swings on fast surfaces," Pera said. It remains to be seen if Pera can upset Swiatek and clinch the biggest win of her career.