In a highly anticipated quarterfinal at the Porsche Tennis Grand Prix on Friday, World No.1 Iga Swiatek of Poland overcame a stern effort by No.8 seed Emma Raducanu of Great Britain before triumphing 6-4, 6-4.
For Swiatek, the 1-hour and 45-minute victory over reigning US Open champion Raducanu marks her 21st straight match-win. It is also the Polish star’s tour-leading 28th victory of the season thus far.
"I'm not thinking much about what's happened, and also what's going to happen," Swiatek said, after yet another victory. "[I'm] just focusing on the next match, and I'm really doing everything to prepare and recover well after each round. ... It seems like I'm going with the flow, but behind it, it's hard work."
By defeating World No.12 Raducanu, Swiatek has also won her last seven matches against Top 20 opposition. Her last loss against a Top 20 player came to then-No.1 Ashleigh Barty at Adelaide in January.
Moreover, Swiatek is now 4-0 against British players in her pro career. Before topping Raducanu on Friday, Swiatek defeated Heather Watson at 2019 Toronto qualifying and 2021 Eastbourne, and beat Harriet Dart at this year’s Australian Open.
Raducanu, who won her first two clay-court matches at a Hologic WTA Tour event this week, acquitted herself well in her first match against a Top 10 opponent. After nearly two tight sets, Raducanu had two chances to break serve in the last game of the clash before Swiatek claimed the last semifinal spot.
Match moments: Swiatek broke Raducanu in the opening game of the match, and the Pole held that lead the whole way through the first set. The players had an equal number of unforced errors in the first set, but Swiatek had nine more winners during that timeframe.
Raducanu, though, continued to press in the following set, earning her first break of the day in the second game. However, Swiatek used her deep, heavy shots to push Raducanu back in rallies and was rewarded with another break for a 2-1 lead.
Swiatek again held that advantage up to 5-4, but the top seed was tested in that game, when Raducanu's defense drew Swiatek into errors. Swiatek had to stare down two break points at 15-40, but the Pole withstood them before converting her second match point with a sturdy forehand.
In the semifinals, Swiatek will meet big-hitting Liudmila Samsonova, in their first meeting.
"I've seen the scores, and it seems like [Samsonova] is getting more and more confident, and her ranking is going up," said Swiatek. "So for sure she's one to watch, and she's doing huge progress. ... I need to tactically prepare tomorrow, and I'll be ready."
Well I said prior to the match that I thought Raducanu would be Swiatek's first real test. And it certainly was that. Bu it's good for her to have those as she gets closer to the finish line, because it only gets harder.
Especially if it's Badosa who makes it to the final.
But I'm also not discounting Iga's next opponent I've seen how fearless she plays and how well she serves.
Iga is going to have her work cut out for her tomorrow.
She will definitely have to serve well and keep her concentration all the way through.
It could be another tough test.
Especially given Iga has admitted she hasn't quite gotten used the indoor clay surface in Stuttgart, as was evidenced by the number of times she lost her footing in a rally.
Hopefully, she'll come up with some good tactics to not allow Samsonova to dictate and play on her terms.
This was Iga's 21st consecutive win and her 13th straight set. Unreal.
Let's keep this train going. Jazda!.
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