8 Players Who Baked Double-Bagels in 2024

A Perfect Display of Dominance

The 2024 WTA season featured eight double-bagel matches thus far, where players won with a score of 6-0, 6-0, leaving their opponents without a single game. Achieving such results requires not only physical dominance but also mental focus, tactical precision, and relentless execution. Below, we explore each of these remarkable matches in detail, followed by a comprehensive analysis of patterns and insights.

What is a Double-Bagel?

A double-bagel occurs when a player wins two consecutive sets 6-0. These results are rare, given the high level of competition on the professional tour. Most players, even in defeat, manage to win a few games. The significance of a double-bagel lies not just in the scoreline but in the focus and discipline required to maintain control throughout the match.

To achieve a double-bagel, players must be technically flawless and mentally resilient. Even when the outcome seems certain, the winning player must stay aggressive, avoid lapses in concentration, and prevent the opponent from building any momentum. Total dominance means not just overpowering the opponent but also anticipating their moves and neutralizing their strengths.

Psychologically, double-bagel losses can be devastating for players on the receiving end. These matches highlight the difference between being competitive and being overwhelmed. For the winners, they provide momentum and confidence for upcoming rounds. For the losers, they serve as a painful but necessary lesson - an opportunity to reflect, improve, and return stronger.

Breaking Down the Statistics

Serving Mastery

In these matches, the winners achieved exceptional first-serve performance, winning over 75% of their first-serve points. This enabled them to hold serve effortlessly while pressuring their opponents' service games.

- Coco Gauff in Madrid: Held all service games and did not face a single break point.

- Iga Swiatek at Roland Garros: Won 80% of her first-serve points and broke her opponent in every return game.

Relentless Returning

The most telling statistic across these double-bagel matches was the winners' ability to capitalize on break points. In almost every match, the victors broke their opponents repeatedly while rarely facing break points themselves.

- Renata Zarazua in Bogota: Converted 6 out of 7 break points.

- Daria Kasatkina at Wimbledon: Dominated with deep returns, breaking her opponent 5 times without conceding a game.

Mental Toughness and Tactical Precision

Achieving a double-bagel requires more than technical skill - it demands unwavering focus and tactical mastery. Players like Swiatek and Sabalenka demonstrated the ability to stay aggressive and composed, ensuring that their opponents were never able to shift the momentum. Maintaining concentration across two perfect sets, especially in high-pressure tournaments, reflects discipline and professionalism.

Match-by-Match Analysis

1. Australian Open: Aryna Sabalenka vs. Lesia Tsurenko - January 18, 2024

Aryna Sabalenka made a powerful statement at the start of the season by defeating Lesia Tsurenko 6-0, 6-0. On the fast hard courts of Melbourne, Sabalenka used her explosive groundstrokes to dominate from the baseline, leaving Tsurenko with no time to react. Sabalenka's serve was a major weapon, with her first-serve percentage exceeding 80%. Tsurenko struggled to win points on her own serve and faced break points in nearly every game.

- Key Stats: Sabalenka won 85% of points on her first serve and broke Tsurenko in every return game.

- Tactical Insight: Sabalenka's ability to hit deep, heavy groundstrokes neutralized Tsurenko's attempts to extend rallies. Tsurenko failed to convert any of her limited break-point chances.

2. Bogota: Renata Zarazua vs. M. I. Higuita Barraza - April 1, 2024

Renata Zarazua displayed patience and precision on the clay courts of Bogota, where she dismantled wildcard M. I. Higuita Barraza. Zarazua used a mix of topspin and angles to keep her opponent on the defensive. Barraza, overwhelmed by the slower clay surface, committed numerous unforced errors. Zarazua saved the only break point she faced and capitalized on nearly every break opportunity.

- Key Stats: Zarazua converted 6 out of 7 break points.

- Tactical Insight: Zarazua's variety of shots kept Barraza off balance, forcing her into errors and preventing any rhythm.

3. Madrid Open: Coco Gauff vs. Arantxa Rus - April 25, 2024

Coco Gauff's mastery on clay was evident in Madrid, where she overpowered veteran Arantxa Rus. Gauff's blend of powerful forehands and deep returns kept Rus pinned behind the baseline. Her serve was rock solid - Gauff held every service game and never faced a break point. On return, she broke Rus at will, converting 11 out of 12 break points.

- Key Stats: Gauff converted 11 of 12 break points.

- Tactical Insight: Gauff's aggressive play on return left Rus unable to build any momentum, dominating from the first game to the last.

4. Roland Garros: Iga Swiatek vs. Anastasia Potapova - June 2, 2024

Swiatek's dominance at Roland Garros continued with a clinical performance against Potapova. Swiatek's topspin forehands and superior movement on clay allowed her to control the match entirely. Potapova struggled to keep up with Swiatek's pace, winning only a handful of points on serve.

- Key Stats: Swiatek won 80% of her first-serve points and broke Potapova in every return game.

- Tactical Insight: Swiatek's ability to mix angles and depth kept Potapova on the defensive throughout the match.

5. Wimbledon: Daria Kasatkina vs. Lily Miyazaki Yuriko - July 4, 2024

Kasatkina's variety on grass proved too much for Miyazaki. Using slice backhands and well-timed drop shots, Kasatkina disrupted her opponent's rhythm. Kasatkina controlled every rally and saved all the break points she faced, closing out the match in under an hour.

- Key Stats: Kasatkina broke Miyazaki 5 times without conceding a game.

- Tactical Insight: Her use of slice and change of pace kept Miyazaki off-balance, ensuring she remained in control throughout.

6. Palermo: Irina-Camelia Begu vs. Marina Bassols - July 15, 2024

On the clay courts of Palermo, Begu delivered a flawless performance against Bassols. Her consistent depth and topspin forced Bassols into errors, while Begu's serve remained impenetrable. Bassols never found her rhythm and struggled to hold serve throughout the match.

- Key Stats: Begu saved all break points she faced and converted 5 out of 6 break opportunities.

- Tactical Insight: Begu's ability to control the tempo ensured that Bassols never got comfortable.

7. Olympic Games: Maria Lourdes Carle vs. Tatjana Maria - July 28, 2024

Carle stunned Maria at the Olympic Games with a 6-0, 6-0 victory. Carle's deep returns and aggressive groundstrokes left Maria with no answers. Carle capitalized on every weak serve, breaking Maria repeatedly and cruising to victory.

- Key Stats: Carle saved all break points and converted 8 out of 9 break chances.

- Tactical Insight: Carle's aggressive returns kept Maria on the back foot throughout the match.

8. Olympic Games: Qinwen Zheng vs. Sara Errani - July 28, 2024

Zheng's power overwhelmed Errani in another Olympic double-bagel. Zheng's serve was untouchable, and her returns were equally effective. Errani, a veteran clay-courter, had no answer to Zheng's relentless aggression.

- Key Stats: Zheng hit 12 aces and saved all break points.

- Tactical Insight: Zheng's ability to attack both on serve and return left Errani unable to hold serve even once.

Conclusion: Patterns and Insights from Double-Bagel Matches

These matches highlight the importance of serve efficiency, relentless returns, and mental toughness. While no double-bagel victories were recorded on the men's tour this year, the WTA tour showcased just how competitive and ruthless the top players can be. Players like Swiatek, Sabalenka, and Gauff used their strengths to maintain total control throughout, showing that double-bagels are not just about power but also about tactical precision.

Double-bagel matches are not merely statistical outliers - they reflect the essence of professional tennis: the relentless pursuit of excellence. As these matches demonstrate, the gap between good and great players is often defined by the smallest of margins, but the impact can be felt with every game won - or lost.