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Swiatek continues to cruise, will face Keys in Aussie semis

MELBOURNE, Australia — Iga Swiatek’s newest lopsided win on the Australian Open got here through a 6-1, 6-2 rating within the quarterfinals in opposition to No. 8 seed Emma Navarro on Wednesday.

The No. 2-seeded Swiatek not solely has not dropped a set thus far within the match, but additionally has misplaced a grand complete of solely 14 video games as she seeks her first title at Melbourne Park and sixth Grand Slam trophy general. The final lady to make it to the Australian Open semifinals having ceded fewer than 15 video games was Maria Sharapova again in 2013.

“I’m actually pleased with the match general,” mentioned Swiatek, who will face No. 19 Madison Keys of the U.S. on Thursday evening for a berth within the remaining. “Being within the semis is nice. I’ll push for extra.”

Swiatek benefited from what gave the impression to be a missed double-bounce on some extent she received within the second set, however Navarro didn’t instantly ask for a video evaluation. Both manner, Swiatek’s dominance was fairly clear, even when she was modest about issues afterward.

“Properly, I believe it was way more more durable than the rating says,” mentioned Swiatek, a 23-year-old from Poland. “Emma’s a fighter … and I wished to remain centered and preserve my depth.”

The opposite girls’s semifinal is No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka, the two-time defending champion, in opposition to her good good friend, No. 11 Paula Badosa.

Keys, whose finest exhibiting at a significant was attending to the title match on the 2017 U.S. Open, was a 3-6, 6-3, 6-4 winner in opposition to Elina Svitolina and is into her third semifinal in Australia.

“Madison is a superb participant and skilled, so that you by no means know,” mentioned Swiatek, who’s 4-1 in opposition to the 29-year-old Keys. “I will be simply centered on myself.”

Utilizing a brand new racket this season, Keys is on a 10-match profitable streak, together with a title at a hard-court tuneup occasion in Adelaide. Her run to the semifinals in Melbourne consists of victories over two previous runners-up on the Australian Open, Danielle Collins and Elina Rybakina.

Keys’ previous losses within the semifinals in Melbourne got here in opposition to eventual champions Serena Williams in 2015 and Ash Barty in 2022.

“I believe I play slightly bit smarter for certain … most likely slightly bit much less fearless,” Keys mentioned.

Svitolina, a three-time Slam semifinalist, was in management throughout the first set. However Keys made some tactical changes, together with on the lookout for extra alternatives to get to the online. She received 23 of the 26 factors when she moved ahead and ended up with a complete of 49 winners, 23 on her highly effective forehand aspect.

The one problem Keys had was getting getting into her return video games. However she lastly transformed her seventh break likelihood to guide 4-2 within the second set.

“Iga is hard to beat, as a result of she has lots of spin, form of naturally, on each side. She’s a superb server. She’s a superb returner. She strikes extremely properly,” Keys mentioned, looking forward to Thursday. “The largest factor that makes her so tough to beat is, as a result of she strikes so properly, in the event you miss your spot simply barely, she has sufficient time to get well, after which the purpose goes again to impartial.”


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