China Open 2025: Swiatek rallies from 2-5 down to beat Vekic, enters Rd-16
Synopsis
Trailing by a set and staring down a 2-5 deficit in the second, Iga Swiatek summoned her best to dismantle Donna Vekic in three sets at the China Open in Beijing. The defending 2023 champion won the second-set tie-break without dropping a single point and cruised through the decider — a statement win as she hunts another Beijing title.
Key Takeaways
Iga Swiatek defeated Donna Vekic 4-6, 7-6(0), 6-2 in the China Open round of 32 on 5 October .
Swiatek was a set down and 2-5 in the second before mounting her comeback.
She won the second-set tie-break 7-0 , not dropping a single point.
The match lasted 2 hours and 40 minutes at Beijing .
Swiatek next faces American Iva Jovic , who beat Kamilla Rakhimova 6-1, 7-5 .
Swiatek is the 2023 China Open champion and a six-time Grand Slam title winner.
Six-time Grand Slam champion Iga Swiatek produced a remarkable fightback at the China Open in Beijing on Monday, 5 October, overcoming a set and two breaks deficit to defeat 30th seed Donna Vekic of Croatia 4-6, 7-6(0), 6-2 in the round of 32. The match lasted 2 hours and 40 minutes, with the Polish eighth seed advancing to the round of 16 in a contest that swung sharply in the second set.
How the Match Unfolded
Swiatek lost her serve as early as the third game and was unable to find a break opportunity against Vekic, eventually dropping the first set 4-6. The second set looked even bleaker — she surrendered her serve twice to trail 2-5, leaving her on the brink of a surprise early exit. But the world number eight found a way back, breaking Vekic twice consecutively to level the set at 5-5.
With both players holding serve thereafter, the second set went to a tie-break, which Swiatek claimed with ruthless authority — winning all seven points to take it 7-6(0). That momentum proved decisive heading into the decider.
Third Set: Swiatek Takes Control
The third set opened with a break of serve apiece, but Swiatek secured the decisive break at 3-2 and did not look back. She held comfortably and broke Vekic once more to close out the set 6-2, completing one of the more striking turnarounds of her season.
What Swiatek Said
'I was just really pissed,' Swiatek told broadcasters after the match, on how she felt trailing by a set. 'I thought I wasn't playing bad, but for sure it wasn't enough. I made some mistakes. I was just angry. I wanted to change something. Clearly it wasn't working. The beginning of the 2nd set was tough. Later on, I figured it out. I'm really happy about that.'
The candid assessment reflects the mental adjustment Swiatek has increasingly spoken about in 2025 — converting frustration into on-court decisiveness rather than letting it compound errors.
Next Opponent and What Is at Stake
Swiatek will face American Iva Jovic in the round of 16. Jovic advanced by beating Kamilla Rakhimova 6-1, 7-5 in her round-of-32 clash. On paper, the matchup heavily favours Swiatek — she is the 2023 China Open champion in Beijing and has won the title at this event before. Jovic will need a near-perfect performance to cause an upset against one of the tour's most dominant players, particularly given Swiatek's form in the third set on Monday.
Point of View
Seeded 30th, played well enough to win; the story of this match is really one player refusing to accept that fact. The 2025 season has seen Swiatek face more pressure from the mid-tier than in her dominant 2022-23 stretch, and her response to those moments will define whether she reclaims a truly commanding grip on the WTA rankings.
NationPress
5 Oct 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What was the final score of Swiatek vs Vekic at China Open 2025?
Iga Swiatek defeated Donna Vekic 4-6, 7-6(0), 6-2 in the round of 32 of the China Open 2025 in Beijing. The match lasted 2 hours and 40 minutes.
How did Swiatek come back from 2-5 down in the second set?
Swiatek broke Vekic's serve twice consecutively to level the set at 5-5, then won the tie-break without dropping a single point (7-0). She carried that momentum into the third set, breaking at 3-2 and closing out 6-2.
Who will Swiatek play in the China Open round of 16?
Swiatek will face American Iva Jovic in the round of 16. Jovic advanced by defeating Kamilla Rakhimova 6-1, 7-5 in her round-of-32 match.
Has Swiatek won the China Open before?
Yes, Swiatek is the 2023 China Open champion in Beijing. She is also a six-time Grand Slam title winner and is seeded eighth at this year's tournament.
What did Swiatek say after her comeback win over Vekic?
Swiatek told broadcasters: 'I was just really pissed. I thought I wasn't playing bad, but for sure it wasn't enough. I made some mistakes. I was just angry. I wanted to change something.' She added that she 'figured it out' later in the second set and was 'really happy' about the result.
