Two-time champion Iga Swiatek breezed into the Italian Open semifinals with a 6-1, 6-3 victory over 18th seed Madison Keys, establishing a showdown with American third seed Coco Gauff for a spot within the remaining.
This quarterfinal match in Rome mirrored Swiatek’s current semifinal conflict with America’s Keys in Madrid, which additionally ended with the identical scoreline.
The world No. 1 broke serve within the opening recreation, and though Keys gained her subsequent service recreation to make it 2-1, Swiatek dominated by profitable the following 4 video games to clinch the primary set in simply 26 minutes.
In the second set, Swiatek wanted only one break to take a 3-1 lead, and when she saved 4 break factors within the subsequent recreation to carry serve, Keys’ possibilities of a comeback have been dashed.
“Honestly, I felt really good today, even though I knew that one or two points could change everything,” Swiatek stated.
“I’m glad that I served effectively as a result of I feel once we have been form of even within the video games typically, I may win two factors simply by serving.
“It’s something that doesn’t happen often in my game, so today was a good day in terms of that.”
Swiatek is aiming to win her fourth title this 12 months, having already gained the Qatar Open, Indian Wells, and the Madrid Open.
She will face Gauff on Friday after the American beat China’s Zheng Qinwen 7-6(4), 6-1 within the different quarterfinal on Tuesday.
“(Swiatek) is a tough opponent to play, especially on clay. There’s a reason why she’s No. 1,” Gauff stated.
“But I feel like I’m getting better with each match. I’m really excited to play the semifinal.”
In the remaining quarterfinals on Wednesday, world No. 2 Aryna Sabalenka will face ninth seed Jelena Ostapenko earlier than Victoria Azarenka performs American thirteenth seed Danielle Collins.
Source: www.dailysabah.com
