Iga Swiatek makes it 33 consecutive wins to get back into Roland Garros semis

The world No.1 needed just 89 minutes to soar into the final four, where she meets Kasatkina

Another challenger swept aside, Iga Swiatek is just two matches away from reclaiming her Roland-Garros crown.

The 2020 champion toasted her 21st birthday on Tuesday and celebrated by extending her winning streak to 33 matches with a commanding 6-3, 6-2 victory over Jessica Pegula on Wednesday.

The world No.1 returns to the semi-finals with world No.20 Daria Kasatkina standing in her path.

Thursday will witness Swiatek's third career Grand Slam semi-final appearance and her second of the year.

Story of the match

Once again Swiatek made a fast start, skipping to the backhand corner to unleash an inside-out forehand winner for an immediate break.

With the Pole racing 40-0 up, it looked like world No.11 Pegula was in for a torrid time on Court Philippe-Chatrier, but the American dug in and claimed five successive points to rebound for 1-all. An eight-minute hold later and Pegula was on the front foot.

Not quite. Swiatek capped a riveting rally with a cross-court backhand winner, moments before sprinkling in some true magic.

The 21-year-old chased what seemed to be a lost cause from a deft Pegula drop shot and mid-slide, nearly in the split position, directed the ball towards the umpire’s chair for a decisive 4-3 break.

The Pole was forcing Pegula into going for fine margins and a brace of forehands narrowly missed the mark, handing the top seed a one-set lead.

Pegula, competing in her third major quarter-final - and first one clay - clattered an inside-in backhand to keep in touch.

A crafty wrong-footing forehand capped a 26-shot rally for a rare break opportunity. But the forehand return slipped off radar just at the wrong time. Swiatek escaped and won three consecutive games to motor 4-1 in front.

Pegula was on the back foot too much, Swiatek converting her fourth match point with a slingshot backhand, raising her right arm up to the sky in celebration.

Key stats

The world No.1 scribbled her wrong age on the broadcast camera, but the most important number was 33 for the number of successive wins.

Swiatek stands alone as the third-longest streak this century on the WTA tour, which includes prevailing in 48 of her past 50 sets on court.

The 21-year-old (Not 22, Iga) enjoyed a successful afternoon at the net, winning 9/10 points up front.

She was also impressive on her second serve, winning 16/20 (75 per cent) of the points behind it, avoiding Jessica's punishing return game.

What the players said

“I guess flying wasn’t a good option, because she was playing so low. I actually needed to not fly,” joked Swiatek in her post-match interview.

“It was really hard as sometimes she was changing the rhythm. I’m happy, I was playing with good dynamics and pushed her back a fair bit.”

Asked about her pre-match nerves, Swiatek quickly retorted: “Oh yeah I do, I think if I stop being nervous, something weird is going on, because there are always nerves, but stress can sometimes be a positive thing.

“It can make you more active and intense, so I try to use it that way to get my best performances.

rolandgarros.com

Back in the Roland Garros semis!. 

Kasatkina could be tricky so I never underestimate her. 

And yes Iga has won their last 3 meetings but those were all on hard courts. They have never faced off on clay so that alone could be very interesting. 

But I'm hoping that just like today when Iga is playing an opponent who's familiar she'll be less stressed and stays fully focused. 

And that by playing aggressive and taking time away from Kastkina it'll allow Iga to stay on the front foot and prevent Kasatkina from implementing too much of her variety. 

Kasatkina has been playing extremely well this tournament so well in fact that she has not lost a set and very few games ( I think she has lost less games than Iga did in 2020 when she won it). 

So again won't be easy. But Iga will be Kasatkina's first real test as well, because the players she has faced while they've been good they're nowhere near Iga's caliber I also think nerves will play a large role in this match. 

Kasatkina had a tough time closing out her quarter final so that might be something Iga can use. Keep putting pressure on her which will more than likely cause some unforced errors. 

But all this is speculative of course and both players will have to handle their nerves and be on their game if they want to win it. 

And tomorrow I am hoping that winner will be Iga. Jazda!.