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While the score line appears perfunctory, Swiatek found herself under constant pressure from Azarenka's return game. The 20-year-old needed 79 minutes to complete a comeback from a double-break, at 0-3, in the opening set. Azarenka held at least one break point in each of Swiatek's service games in the opener, generating a total of 11 break points.
"I didn't start well, and everybody could see that," Swiatek told reporters. "I'm really happy with the way I reacted and how I improved in the first set. Also how different the second set looked to the first one because I could really reset and really change the way I played. That's the most positive thing for me."
But in the key game of the first set, Swiatek came through a seven-deuce game, wiping out three break chances, to hold for a 4-3 lead. That hold was a part of a five-game run for Swiatek, but Azarenka's fight never wavered. With Swiatek serving for the set at 5-3, the former No.1 wiped out four set points and broke to get back on serve.
Swiatek kept her cool. By now, the Pole had leveled up her tour-best return game, and she broke Azarenka on her fifth set point to finally seal the set. Swiatek continued to dominate on return through the second set, breaking Azarenka four more times to close the match and book her spot in a fifth straight quarterfinal.
Stat of the match: Under pressure throughout the lengthy opening set, Swiatek was forced to play 74 points on her serve. In contrast, Azarenka played just 30. But Swiatek's ability to save eight of 11 break points while converting four of the five break points she earned, flipped the script on an otherwise strong first set from Azarenka.
When the dust finally settled on Court Centrale, Swiatek won 12 of the last 14 games of the match. Swiatek finished with 34 winners to 39 unforced errors, while Azarenka fired 18 winners to 31 unforced errors.
Well this was definitely not the best Iga has played this year, let's get that out of the way.
Been a good few months since she has committed half as many unforced errors. I'm still trying to figure out how exactly she ended up winning this in straight sets.
The first set was pretty much the definition of winning ugly. When you're not playing your best but you fight through till you find your level which is what happened in the 2nd set.
Iga's next opponent is someone myself and many others thought she might never meet. Having been plagued with injuries and mental struggles the past few years.
And yet here we are 3 years after her triumph at the U.S. Open Bianca Andreescu is back and playing well making it to the quarterfinals of a Masters 1000 event in only her 2nd tournament back.
To say I'm excited for their first meeting on the pro tour would be the understatement of the year (they have met once as juniors where Iga won).
If both play at a high level we could be in for a real treat.
Iga will definitely have to serve a lot better than today, because Andreescu will have those 2nd serves for breakfast.
This is one of those rare times where I find myself very conflicted as a fan. Having Polish roots, but living in Canada.
I think I will be slightly less heart broken if she were to lose to a Canadian. I do enjoy watching Bianca Andreescu play equally as much.
That having been said I'll stick with the country of my birth and cheer hard for Iga,
I'm expecting a tough competitive 3 set battle, but I'm still going to give Iga a slight edge in the end.
I have no idea what's gonna happen, but I haven't looked forward to a tennis match this much since Martina Hingis returned from one of her many retirements.
Jazda Iga!. Go for your 26th consecutive win.
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