Iga after getting smacked by a ball in the chest. Ouch.
Top-seeded Swiatek was forced to regroup after being outhit by Collins in the second set, but the Pole eventually eased ahead 4-0 in the third set before Collins retired from the match after two hours of action.
Nearly perfect in Paris: With her wins at the 2024 Games, Swiatek increases her legacy of success at Roland Garros, the site of the tennis event at the XXXIII Olympiad.
Adding her four victories this week to her total, Swiatek is now 39-2 on the historic grounds, including winning four French Open titles in the last five years.
Collins, playing in her final season on tour at the age of 30, was seeking her second career win over a reigning World No.1 (having previously beaten Ashleigh Barty at 2021 Adelaide), but she was unable to complete the match and fell to 1-7 against Swiatek.
Zheng awaits: Swiatek will face a second straight Top 10 player when she meets No.6 seed Zheng Qinwen of China in the semifinals. Zheng ended the career of former World No.1 Angelique Kerber earlier on Wednesday, edging the German in a third-set tiebreak.
The winner of that match will reach the gold-medal final, and the loser will play for the bronze. Swiatek has a commanding 6-0 head-to-head lead over Zheng.
Match moments: On Wednesday, Swiatek had minimal trouble taking the one-set lead, although a shift in momentum was on the cards when she had to fend off the first three break points she faced in the last game of the set.
Indeed, Collins was overpowering with her service returns in the second set, using depth and speed with that shot to break Swiatek twice and storm into a decisive third set.
But Swiatek quickly raced to a double-break lead in the final set, and Collins needed to take a medical-time out while trailing 3-0. Collins got on the scoreboard at 4-1 but the American could go no further, sending Swiatek into the semis.
Gotta love how the WTA website doesn't even mention the post match controversy that transpired as Collins went to shake hands with Iga.
Words were exchanged after which Iga looked stunned and confused. Collins walked off mid shake without giving Iga the chance to reply.
Then added fuel to the fire by explaining in the post match presser that she told Iga she doesn't need her insincerity (regarding Collins supposed injury). If anyone is insincere it's Danielle Collins.
Why else would you retire saying you can't play anymore (4-1 down), only to turn around two hours later and play doubles.
You were losing and didn't want to give your opponent the satisfaction of finishing things off. You can phrase it however you want but that spells sour grapes to me.
She also talked about exhaustion and sun stroke, but let's be honest if she was truly feeling that bad she would not have stepped on that court again.
This whole thing has really put everyone off I don't think this sort of behavior will garner Collins any more fans even if it is her last year on tour. This sort of thing is actually the reason I've never been a fan.
Absolutely appalling.
First she had the audacity to smack Iga in the chest with the ball really hard (which I admit is a hazard of the sport) but this one really seemed deliberate. Then she accused Iga of being fake genuine. Seriously?.
I fully expected her to have an issue with Iga holding up the person serving by holding up her racket which is a bad habit of hers and many people have a problem with, but no we get this instead completely out of left field.
Iga for her part handled everything with class not wanting to get involved in any stupid feud. Only had good things to say about her opponent.
Saying not sure what the problem was, and that whatever it was emotions were understandably running high.
Then proceeded to say how she only wanted to wish her well regarding her injury and good luck with this being her last year on tour.
Doesn't sound like someone who's insincere to me.
But enough about all that crazy non sense.
Let's all bask in the fact that Iga freaking Swiatek has made the semi finals of the Olympics!.
A historic feat for Poland.
Tomorrow she'll be going for a chance at the gold on Saturday. I have no idea how I'm going to survive trying to watch this tomorrow morning at 6am. I will be an absolute bundle of nerves.
But just like in this match I believe in Iga's ability on this surface. If she can keep her nerves in check it should be lot less dramatic or traumatic I should say.
Go for it Iga give it your all as always the whole country is behind you.
Jazda!
5 - Iga Swiatek is the player with the most clay court semi-finals in a single season (five) since Serena Williams and Sara Errani in 2013 (also five). Dominator.
4 - Iga Swiatek is the 4th player to make the Women's Singles SFs at the Olympics as World No. 1 since tennis returned to the Olympic program in 1988 after Graf (Seoul 1988), Henin (Athens 2004) and Azarenka (London 2012). Top.
25 - Iga Swiatek is the player fifth player to win 25+ clay court matches in an entire season this Century: Angeles Montolio (2001) Jelena Jankovic (2007) Sara Errani (2012) Serena Williams (2013) Iga Swiatek (2024)
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