- Iga Swiatek sailed through to the next round at the Indian Wells after a dominant performance over Romania’s Sorana Cirstea in the quarter finals
- With a win in this tournament, Swiatek would become just the second woman, after Martina Navratilova in 1990 and 1991, to win back to back titles
Iga Swiatek sailed through to the next round at the Indian Wells after a dominant performance over Romania’s Sorana Cirstea in the quarter finals.
The world number one got the job done in straight sets as she continued her pursuit of back-to-back Indian Wells titles. She beat Cirstea 6-2 6-3.
Iga Swiatek. Photo/ Freetips.com.
Swiatek, who won eight consecutive games en route to a comprehensive victory in California, will face Wimbledon champion Elena Rybakina in the semi-finals. Elena defeated Czech Republic’s Karlina Muchova 7-6 (7-4) 2-6 6-4 in her quarter-final.
Iga Swiatek has the perfect opportunity to get revenge on Elena who knocked her out of the Australian Open in January this year. The Kazakhstani beat Iga 6-4 6-4 in the Australian Open last 16 before reaching the final, which she lost to Aryna Sabalenka.
Asked by reporters if the results in Australia would have any impact on Friday’s match, Rybakina replied that she is going to win if she does her best against Swiatek.
“I’m trying not to think about this because it’s different conditions. It also depends a lot how physically I feel. I’m kind of realistic in these things. I know that, of course, if I am going bring my best tomorrow, there is chances that I’m going to win.”
With a win in this tournament, Swiatek would become just the second woman, after Martina Navratilova in 1990 and 1991, to win back to back titles at the Indian Wells.
Iga Swiatek Cruises Past Sorana Cirstea
Sorana Cirstea recovered an early break and batted off a break point to level the first set at 2-2. However, Swiatek took a 3-2 lead and there was no catching her. She stormed through the next eight games to make things 6-2 4-0 after an hour of play.
Cirstea was not letting it go easily and she tried fighting back to put things 4-2 in the second set. However, Iga Swiatek held on to her break advantage to secure victory after one hour and 22 minutes.
“Honestly, I didn’t experience everything in tennis yet but for sure, this feeling is great. From the beginning of the tournament, I felt this positive energy, and the fans are really supportive. It’s not often when you are the defending champion, but I feel like I’m handling it pretty well and I’m just playing my game.” Iga Swiatek said after her victory at the Indian Wells quarter finals, as per Eurosport.
Elena Rybakina Beats Karlina Muchova
Earlier on Thursday, Elena Rybakina had secured a 7-6 (7-4) 2-6 6-4 win over the resurgent Karlina Muchova. Elena started slowly, failing to convert five break points in the opening set. However, she forced a tie-break, which she won after Karlina’s double fault.
Karlina took the second set to force a decider, which Rybakina won after producing some powerful serves. The victory saw Rybakina progress to her first-ever Indian Wells semi-finals.
Elena Rybakina. Photo/ Deccan Herald.
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