No.1 seed Iga Swiatek shrugged off an overnight rain delay to reach her third straight Internazionali BNL d'Italia quarterfinal, defeating No.21 seed Donna Vekic 6-3, 6-4 to set up a marquee last-eight meeting with Elena Rybakina.
Two-time defending champion Swiatek has now won 14 straight matches and 24 consecutive sets at the Foro Italico. The last player to win a set from her in Rome was Barbora Krejcikova in the 2021 third round, and the only player to have defeated her at this tournament was Arantxa Rus in the 2020 first round.
Only five other players in the Open Era have won 14 or more consecutive matches in Rome. Swiatek follows in the footsteps of Chris Evert, Conchita Martínez, Gabriela Sabatini, Maria Sharapova and Serena Williams.
Swiatek improved to 4-0 against Vekic overall. This was their first clay-court encounter. The Croat has won a set only once, in the 2022 San Diego final. This time, Vekic managed to keep matters tight, becoming the first player this tournament to break the Swiatek serve in the first set.
No.24-ranked Vekic sealed that break with a fine drop shot, a tactic that was successful on five out the six occasions she deployed it. But that was the only break point she was able to convert out of seven opportunities. By contrast, Swiatek took all three of her break opportunities on the Vekic serve and found 19 winners compared to her opponent's 14.
Swiatek, Rybakina to resume rivalry: The Roland Garros champion and the reigning Wimbledon champion square off for the fourth time -- and third time this season.
Though Swiatek won their first meeting in the 2021 Ostrava quarterfinals, Rybakina has won both of their 2023 encounters without dropping a set -- indeed, for the loss of just 12 games in total. She knocked Swiatek out of the Australian Open 6-4, 6-4 in the fourth round, then ended the Pole's Indian Wells title defense 6-2, 6-2 in the semifinals.
This will be their first pro clay-court meeting, but they have played on the surface once at junior level, also in Italy. Rybakina won the 2017 Milan Grade A final 1-6, 7-6(5), 6-3.
Swiatek's primary memory from that match wasn't focused on the tennis or the result.
"It was [my] first match that was streamed live on the internet," she said. "It really stressed me out. Rookie mistake. But I was really happy to be in the final. It was like I started to believe more a little bit in myself."
Both players played down the significance of their history. Swiatek said that she saw herself neither as the underdog nor the favorite.
"I would say for now I don't have any mindset," she told press after defeating Vekic. "I would say it's kind of neutral. I just want to treat this match as any other one. Coming back to my previous matches against Elena, it doesn't make sense. It was on hard court. I know how I felt. This time I don't have any expectations. I'm just going to come out and play the best game possible."
Rybakina is aware that Rome, more than any other venue on tour, is Swiatek's territory. After her fourth-round defeat of Marketa Vondrousova, she also lowered expectations.
"I think [clay] changes it a lot," she said. "It's more rallies, it's more physical, she has more time, I have more time. I think it's much different than the hard courts for sure.
"I'm not expecting much. For me, it's a practice. I'm taking it this way. Hopefully, it will help me perform at the French Open."
Nonetheless, Rybakina acknowledged the frisson around what is becoming one of the sport's most significant young rivalries.
"I'm not thinking about it so much, but of course I see some comments," she said. "It's good if [fans] think that way and that it's entertaining to see us play against each other. It's a good thing."
Well the match I've been sort of looking forward to but also dreading has arrived.
A third meeting with Rybakina. But this time on Iga's favourite surface. I have never wanted a player to avenge a loss more than I want Iga to defeat Rybakina.
Just to prove to herself that 1 you may have beaten me on hard court twice but I'm still the best on clay and 2 so she doesn't allow Rybakina to get in her head with 3 losses in one season.
Because Rybakina has been vulnerable this year and definitely when it comes to clay.
First set will be absolutely crucial given Iga has won 25 matches this year when taking the first set.
Also serve and forehand will have to be on point to put pressure on Rybakina. And if all else fails take chances on return and defend.
Don't know if playing at night will be beneficial or not. Although I suppose slower conditions might make the Rybakina serve less effective and give Iga more time on returns.
I'm also hoping that not having a day off due to weather (unlike Rybakina) will keep Iga in a nice match rhythm. Not having a lot of time to think about a match could be a good thing too.
Most important is that it doesn't rain, there has been way to much rain in Rome this year, I would like at least one night match not interrupted due to weather.
I'm really nervous about tomorrow, but also have a good feeling, I have faith that on clay (more than any other surface) Iga will find solutions even if things don't start out well.
Jazda Iga you've got this!
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