Reluctant superstar Iga Swiatek digs deep at Wimbledon to extend win streak

A reluctant yet humble superstar, Iga Swiatek remained on course at Wimbledon to bring up a staggering 37th consecutive victory.

Far from her vintage best, the Pole is now contending with both lofty expectations and the history books. Her opponent, merely a ‘lucky loser’, sensed an opportunity to write her own story into both the women’s game and this most decorated of championships. Lesley Pattinama Kerkhove defied her lowly ranking, No 138, in what is just a third Grand Slam appearance, tying Swiatek in knots with the help of a blustery Court One.

The 21-year-old, ever willing to sprinkle her charm on those around her, conceded her Dutch opponent harnessed the conditions better. But after prevailing in a little over two hours, this was not the time to completely celebrate her exquisite game, even though there were flashes of the brilliant, contorting strokes and angles that have brought the WTA under her spell throughout such a spectacular 2022.

It was time to cherish what the game still has across this fortnight and how delicate this moment really is. Because Pattinama Kerkhove momentarily found lightning in a bottle and threatened to end Swiatek’s run and push her a little too close to Serena Williams, Emma Raducanu and Andy Murray, all victims to early departures this week.

There have been groans at the dwindling starpower left at this Championships, but those disappointed ought to take in this most dominant of runs from a player whose box of tricks can suit all surfaces. Entering today’s second-round match against on 36 straight wins, including 19 scalps on hard courts and 16 more on clay.

But such is Swiatek body of work, that this run is not solely about winning a third Grand Slam and imagining a date back on