Swiatek, 23, is the youngest player to reach seven Grand Slam semifinals since Maria Sharapova reached her seventh at the 2006 US Open. She has lost just 14 games en route to the semifinals, the fewest since Sharapova in 2013 (9). Only Sharapova, Monica Seles in 1991 (12) and Stefanie Graf in 1989 (13) have dropped fewer games to make the Australian Open semifinals in the Open Era since the tournament moved to 128-player draws.
Swiatek made her first hard-court Grand Slam semifinal at the Australian Open in 2022, where she lost to Danielle Collins. She will face another American for a spot in the final when she takes on No.14 Madison Keys. A champion in Adelaide two weeks ago, Keys notched her tour-leading 12th win of the season by defeating Elina Svitolina 3-6, 6-3, 6-4 in the earlier quarterfinal.
The singles semifinals will be played on Thursday evening at Melbourne Park. Swiatek and Keys will follow the first semifinal between World No.1 Aryna Sabalenka and No.12 Paula Badosa. If Sabalenka and Swiatek advance to Saturday's final, the blockbuster showdown will determine who leaves Melbourne Park as the Hologic WTA Tour World No.1.
In their first meeting since 16-year-olds at an ITF event in 2018, Swiatek broke first to lead 2-0 and took immediate control of the match. On a blustery day at Melbourne Park, Swiatek tapped into her aggressive clay-court style to push Navarro around the court, with deft and patient use of her topspin forehand. After pocketing the first set in 35 minutes, Swiatek was put under more consistent pressure in the early stages of the second set.
Navarro, playing in her third consecutive Grand Slam quarterfinal, earned her first break point of the match with Swiatek serving at 2-2. Swiatek wiped out that sole chance and broke in the next game. In all, Navarro managed to take Swiatek to deuce in three service games in the second set, but the former No.1 stood tall to finish her day perfect from the service line. She has not been broken in her last four matches.
With an eye towards reclaiming the No.1 ranking from Aryna Sabalenka, Swiatek is the only semifinalist who has yet to drop a set in the tournament. Since her 6-3, 6-4 win over Katerina Siniakova in the first round, Swiatek has not lost more than 2 games in a set.
For just the 2nd time in her young career Iga Swiatek is back in semi-finals of the Australian Open. I have waited 3 long years for this. And it feels so damn good to say.
The way she took charge from the get go on return of Navarro's serves today took me back to 2022 and the way she kept doing that to all her opponents for 37 straight matches.
Simply remarkable. Navarro definitely pushed her in the 2nd set I'd say more so than Siniakova in round 1.
And the set was a lot closer than the score makes it seem. Lot's of extended physical rallies.
The way she used her speed, and played aggressive but with margin, and patiently waited for the right time to strike was just a joy to see. I have no doubt a lot of this is Wim Fisette's influence.
Madison Keys her next opponent is always such an unknown, someone who's capable of knocking anyone off the court but also someone who can really go off, lose focus and become an error machine during a match.
I guess it depends on how her opponent handles the highs and lows and whether they can take advantage. The one win Keys has over Iga was in Cincinnati where she did knock her off the court in quite quick conditions.
Don't think that'll be the case here however.
There's a few factors at play like this being a Grand Slam semi (instead of a tournament) Madison's 2nd ever Grand Slam semi if I recall correctly as well.
So the occasion and nerves will definitely play a huge part. I think if Iga serves well, keeps it close score wise and gets Madison moving she has more than a good chance. It won't be easy, but definitely not impossible.
Especially given Iga hasn't actually lost a set and unlike the 2022 semi didn't play a 3 hour marathon prior to it. So energy and physically-wise she'll be more than ready.
Also unlike Cincinnati and the blazing hot sun, here they'll be playing at night where conditions should be much slower due to it being colder.
I am glad she got things done in straight sets considering she has to play back to back days (today and tomorrow) unlike Sabalenka and Badosa who had a day off.
Words can't express how badly I want this win for her. After everything she has been through the last few months it'd just feel so damn good.
And it would finally shut everyone up regarding Iga not being able to play on a fast hard court.
Jazda Iga!, Poland is behind you and believes in you.
Go out there and play your best like you've been showing the past 2 weeks.
In fact forget about everything and everyone else just play for you.
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