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Barbora Krejcikova scores stunning win over Iga Swiatek to triumph in Dubai

Barbora Krejcikova claimed a stunning win in Dubai (Kamran Jebreili/AP Photo) (AP)
Barbora Krejcikova claimed a stunning win in Dubai (Kamran Jebreili/AP Photo) (AP)

Barbora Krejcikova completed a clean sweep of the world’s top three players with a stunning victory over top-ranked Iga Swiatek in the Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships final on Saturday.

The Czech followed up her surprise wins over Jessica Pegula and Aryna Sabalenka – the world number three and two respectively – this week with an even bigger upset as she shocked Swiatek 6-4 6-2 in 91 minutes.

In doing so, the former French Open champion joined elite company with Steffi Graf, Serena Williams, Venus Williams and Sabalenka the only other players to have beaten the top three-ranked players in a tournament.

Krejcikova, herself a former world number two but now ranked 30th, was strong on the Swiatek serve but the Pole twice recovered from breaks in a tight first set.

Krejcikova took firm control with another decisive break to lead 5-4 in the first set and then confidently closed out victory in the second.