© Getty Images Sport – Clive Brunskill
Iga Swiatek issued a pretty funny answer when asked about Yulia Putintseva’s underarm serve attempt, saying that may be something that “they teach in Kazakhstan.”
On Tuesday evening in Indian Wells, world No. 1 Swiatek was taking on 79th-ranked Putintseva in the Indian Wells round-of-16.
With Swiatek up 6-1 2-0 and having three consecutive break points, Putintseva went for an underarm serve. While Swiatek caught the ball early and returned it for a clear winner, Putintseva’s serve was called out.
Underarm serve by Putintseva not suprising Iga pic.twitter.com/4W8y3xbdY1
— Ania (@eni_87ch) March 13, 2024
That actually threw off Swiatek a bit as Putintseva then won the next four points to save three consecutive break points and even give herself a break point. Still, the four-time Grand Slam champion won that game and ultimately managed to open a 3-0 second-set lead.
In the end, Swiatek managed to seal a 6-1 6-2 win over former world No. 27 Putintseva and reach the Indian Wells quarterfinal.
After the match, the 22-year-old Pole was asked if this was the first time a player pulling off an underarm serve on her.
“I don’t think so, honestly. Maybe they teach that in Kazakhstan. I don’t know, because Bublik does the…
