Swiatek reels in Garcia to advance to Beijing semifinals

BEIJING — No.2 Iga Swiatek superior to the semifinals of the China Open after defeating No.10 Caroline Garcia 6-7(8), 7-6(5), 6-1 within the quarterfinals on Friday. 

Making her match debut in Beijing, Swiatek superior to her eleventh semifinal of the season and eleventh WTA 1000 semifinal of her profession. Beijing is her fifth hard-court WTA-1000 semifinal of 2023, equaling Serena Williams (2013) and Simona Halep (2015) for probably the most hard-court WTA-1000 semifinals in a single season. Swiatek additionally made the semifinals or higher in Dubai, Indian Wells, Montreal, and Cincinnati.

In her profession, Swiatek is now 7-0 in WTA-1000 hard-court quarterfinals. She is the second participant because the format was launched in 2009 to win her first seven WTA-1000 quarterfinals on this floor after Ashleigh Barty.

Going through off for the primary time because the WTA Finals final fall, Swiatek entered Friday’s duel with 2-1 benefit within the head-to-head. Final yr, the 2 cut up their two conferences, with Garcia successful on clay in Warsaw and Swiatek handing the Frenchwoman her solely loss in Fort Value final fall. 

How the match was gained: Neither participant gave an inch within the first set. Garcia transformed 71 % of her first serves, gained 80 % of her first-serve factors and 75 % of her second-serve factors. Swiatek saved tempo, serving at 80 % and successful 89 % of her first-serve factors and 86 % of her second-serve factors. 

With no break factors by way of the primary 12 video games, Garcia and Swiatek headed to a tiebreak. Garcia rode her robust serving day by way of the tiebreak to guide 5-2, earlier than two key passing pictures from Swiatek leveled the rating to 6-6. 

Swiatek took the lead by besting Garcia in a baseline rally for 7-6. After opening up house for a forehand winner down the road, the previous No.1 put her forehand lengthy to maintain Garcia within the set. 

After connecting on a deep return to earn a fourth set level, Garcia closed out the 53-minute opening set with a curling second serve that earned a brief reply that she put away into the open courtroom.

Swiatek struck again early within the second set, producing the primary break level of the match and breaking for a 2-1 lead. She prolonged that result in 4-1 earlier than Garcia stormed again. With Swiatek serving for the set at 5-4, Garcia broke at 15-40 with an ideal backhand return down the road. 

Turning level: With Swiatek serving to remain within the match, Garcia got here inside two factors of closing out a straight-sets win. However two clutch factors from Swiatek put the match right into a second tiebreak. 

Swiatek took an early 4-0 lead however, as was the case within the set, the Pole couldn’t maintain off Garcia. After closing the hole to 5-4, Garcia struck a lightning-quick forehand return to degree to 5-5. 

However with Swiatek reeling, Garcia couldn’t land the ultimate blow. She put an aggressive forehand return simply large to offer Swiatek her first set level and he or she transformed by successful a backhand rally to take the match into its third hour. 

“For certain it was actually intense,” Swiatek stated. “We performed actually quick. There was no time typically to suppose or analyze. I am joyful I used my instinct so much.

“For certain numerous tight moments. In each of those first units, each ball counted. I am joyful that within the third I might simply go for it.” 

Having leveled the match, Swiatek powered by way of the ultimate set. After breaking Garcia to construct a 3-0 lead, Swiatek earned a closing insurance coverage break at 5-1 and closed out the 2-hour and 35-minute win. 

Closing stats: On a exceptional serving day from each gamers, Swiatek withstood 16 aces from Garcia and saved the Frenchwoman at bay on return. Garcia generated simply two break factors for the match, changing each, whereas Swiatek generated six and transformed on 4. 

Swiatek completed with 30 winners to only 15 unforced errors within the match. Garcia struck 46 winners to 26 unforced errors. 

Up subsequent: As she bids to seize her first WTA 1000 title of the season, Swiatek will face US Open champion Coco Gauff on Saturday in a rematch of the Cincinnati semifinal. There, Gauff earned her first win in eight matches over Swiatek, successful 7-6(2), 3-6, 6-4. 

The American comes into the match driving the longest win streak of the 2023 season after notching her sixteenth straight win within the quarterfinals.