Top seed Iga Swiatek will likely be nigh on unstoppable in her title protection on the Indian Wells Open after delivering a decisive straight-sets thrashing of Emma Raducanu in Tuesday’s final 16.
The Polish world No. 1 eased to victory 6-3 6-1 in a single hour and 25 minutes over the 2021 US Open champion, who has loved an improved run this week in California.
Swiatek supplied few weaknesses in a powerful disciplined show, changing 4 of 10 break factors, together with three in a one-way second set.
The three-time main winner gained 88% on her first serve whereas she was spectacular on return and capable of win the longer rallies. Swiatek hit 22-9 winners whereas Raducanu made 22-14 unforced errors.
Swiatek will tackle Romania’s Sorana Cirstea within the quarterfinals after she upset fifth seed Caroline Garcia 6-4 4-6 7-5 in two hours and 24 minutes.
Reigning Wimbledon champion Elena Rybakina additionally progressed in that a part of the draw, establishing a last-eight conflict with unseeded Czech Karolina Muchova.
Rybakina gained 6-3 6-0 over qualifier Varvara Gracheva in a equally robust efficiency, needing just one hour and 21 minutes. Muchova beat compatriot Marketa Vondrousova 6-4 6-7 (2-7) 6-4 in two hours and 37 minutes.
Third seed Jessica Pegula was the key casualty of the day’s play, happening 6-2 3-6 7-6 (13-11) to sixteenth seed Petra Kvitova in a dramatic two-hour-and-16-minute conflict.
Pegula had opened up a 5-3 third-set lead and squandered a match level on serve, earlier than two-time Wimbledon winner Kvitova squared it up at 5-5. Kvitova, nevertheless, was damaged instantly to supply Pegula one other probability to serve out the match once more, which she was unable to take.
The American generated one other three match factors within the tie-break however couldn’t convert earlier than the Czech ultimately prevailed on her personal fourth match level, with the deciding set lasting one hour and 12 minutes.
Kvitova will face seventh seed Maria Sakkari within the quarters after she triumphed in a prolonged conflict 6-4 5-7 6-3 over Karolina Pliskova, lasting two hours and 43 minutes.
Second seed Aryna Sabalenka additionally wanted three units to beat Barbora Krejcikova 6-3 2-6 6-4 in two hours and 4 minutes. Krejcikova had been chargeable for Sabalenka’s lone loss this season, in a 15-1 12 months.
Sabalenka, who gained this 12 months’s Australian Open, will face sixth seed Coco Gauff who defeated Rebecca Peterson 6-3 1-6 6-4. Gauff gained the final 4 video games for victory, having trailed 4-2 within the deciding set.
Source: www.dailysabah.com
