The defending champion Swiatek fights past keys to make Madrid semi -finals

Madrid – Iga Swiatek was far from her invincible even in the Mutua Madrid Open. When she went into the quarter -finals here, she unusually put the sets on younger players Alexandra Eala and Diana Shraider.

And then the shocker came on Wednesday. Swiadek is an experienced baker’s baga is world-famous-but Madison Keys No. 5 took the first set 6-0 in less often 24 minutes.

However, Swiatek is a four-time Roland Garros champion for several significant reasons. World No. 2 wins almost 90 percent of their games on Clay and on Wednesday these instincts occurred on the way to a 0: 6, 6: 3, 6: 2 victory.

Madrid: Drawing | Scores | Game

“To be honest, it was one of the strangest games I have ever played,” said Swiatek in her interview on the pitch. “I didn’t have the feeling (the first set) was so bad. I felt the ball good – it just went super long.

“I tried to play a little shorter, and with some Maddy mistakes, the momentum has changed in the end. I am glad that I did it.”

Coco next on: The triumph sent Swiatek to the semi -finals on Thursday against Coco Gais, who in her quarter -finals over No. 7 Saatgut Mirra Andreeva appeared nine of the last 10 games in her quarter -finals in the last ten games.

Swiatek is against Gauff for 11-3, but Gauff has won her last two meetings, including this year at United Cup. However, Gauff has to hit SWIATEK on sound.

Stat corner: The informal mistakes were the history of the game: 35 for keys, 25 for Swiatek.

Swiadek now heads his head 5: 2 and she is 4-0 on sound against keys.

This is Swiatek’s 20th semi -finals in 36 WTA 1000 appearances. She is only the third player who wins her first six quarter-finals of the Clay Court district in these elite events and joined Serena Williams and Simona Halep.

The last time they played, Keys took the IGA Swiatek No. 2 in the semi -finals of the Australian Open. She won her first Grand Slam -Singles title and defeated the world No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka in the final.

But that was on a hard dish. Tone changes the dynamics dramatically.

Match moments: The defending champion Swiatek wanted to reach three consecutive semi -finals in Madrid, which was previously only reached by Maria Sharapova.

But when Swiadek dropped the first set without winning a game, it was the first time in almost four years – against Daria Kasatkina at the grass in 2021 Eastbourne. This is an astonishing route of 625 filled sets without a shutout. Swiatek started 10 casual mistakes, won 29 percent of their service points – and only nine points in total.

The second set was an almost complete reversal, with Swiatek looked much more comfortable. Keys, who only had two casual mistakes in the first set, was charged with 15 in the second. Swiadek broke the American’s serve twice and she converted her second setpoint when a change of buttons was returned to the network.

In the course of the game, Swiatek’s superior movement became more of a decisive factor. The first break of the third set occurred 2-2 with buttons: After Swiatek had saved two fragments, he won a wonderful point with a falling backhand volley, followed by a buttons that was available on the net.

Swiadek usually attacked the backhand of keys and opened the court. Even if the key looked at a decent look at a forehand, it often let it down. However, it was a backhand that cost her a second service break, and Swiatek served 5: 2 for the game.

“(Keys) served great and in every service game she received two or three points from Assen or some amazing services,” said Swiadek and remembered the first sentence. “When I didn’t get it back, I had no chance of winning a point. When I didn’t keep my serve, it obviously became complicated.

“But that’s why it is good that we have second sentences to change something. And maybe I have the feeling that I certainly started to serve better, and that helped me.”