'Born to fight' Iga Swiatek sets up Stuttgart final against Aryna Sabalenka
Iga Swiatek said she was "born to fight" after battling past Liudmila Samsonova on Saturday to seal a 22nd consecutive win and book her place in the Stuttgart final. After just over three hours, Swiatek converted her first match point having broken Samsonova's service three times in the final set to claim a 6-7 (4/7), 6-4, 7-5 win. It was an impressive fightback by the 20-year-old who punched the air in delight after winning the final point. "I honestly hate losing and you just don't want to give up. Players like me are born to fight," said an elated Swiatek who has now reached four finals in succession having won titles in Doha, Indian Wells and Miami. On Sunday, she faces Aryna Sabalenka, who earlier reached the final for the second year running with a straight sets win over Paula Badosa.
