Polish tennis prodigy Iga Swiatek demonstrated her dominance at the Madrid Open semi-final as she swiftly defeated Madison Keys 6-1, 6-3 in just 70 minutes. Swiatek, who had lost last year’s final to Aryna Sabalenka, appeared unfazed by the pressure, overwhelming her opponent from the start and sealing the first set in just over 30 minutes. The second set followed a similar narrative, with Swiatek maintaining her lead and securing a decisive victory. With this win, Swiatek has set herself up for a showdown in the final against either Sabalenka or Elena Rybakina.
Following her triumph, Swiatek expressed her elation, stating, “I feel really good. I wasn’t really thinking about what happened last year. But repeating this result is a great thing. I’ll have a chance to play a nice match in two days. So it’s really exciting. I’m happy overall with the whole tournament.” Swiatek’s stellar performance has solidified her status as the youngest player to reach 10 WTA-level finals on clay since Martina Hingis in 2000, a remarkable achievement for the 22-year-old four-time grand slam champion.
On the men’s side, there was an unfortunate turn of events as Daniil Medvedev was forced to retire after the first set of his quarter-final match against Jiri Lehecka. The Russian player experienced issues with his upper right thigh, seeking treatment on the court but ultimately conceding the match to Lehecka. This turn of events has paved the way for Lehecka’s advancement to his first ATP Masters semi-final, where he will face Félix Auger-Aliassime.
Meanwhile, Jannik Sinner also withdrew from the tournament due to injury, granting Canadian player Félix Auger-Aliassime a bye to the semi-final. The upcoming matches will feature Andrey Rublev against Taylor Fritz in one semi-final, while Lehecka will go up against Auger-Aliassime in the other, promising an exciting culmination to the Madrid Open.
As the Madrid Open approaches its final stages, tennis enthusiasts eagerly anticipate the thrilling matches that are set to unfold. With the tournament showcasing a blend of seasoned champions and rising stars, the stage is set for a riveting conclusion to an action-packed event in the world of professional tennis.