Underdog Gauff overpowers Swiatek, snatching Madrid Open semi-final victory
In a surprising turn of events, five-time Grand Slam champion Iga Swiatek met her match on the clay courts of Madrid. The Polish player, known for her dominance on the red dirt, stumbled in her title defense. Swiatek, who has struggled this season, faced difficulties against Alexandra Eala, Diana Shnaider, and Madison Keys, succumbing to a bagel against the latter in just 24 minutes.
However, Swiatek displayed resilience and managed to defeat Keys, only to fall against the American's compatriot, Coco Gauff. This marked Gauff's first victory against Swiatek on clay. The 23-year-old Swiatek now has limited time to regroup before defending her French Open title in May and is coming off her last trophy win at Roland Garros in 2024.
In a powerful performance, Gauff broke Swiatek's serve in games three, five, and seven to take the first set. Gauff converted her second set point and didn't let up, securing two more breaks in the second set to win the match comfortably. Gauff dominated with seven aces compared to Swiatek's single ace.
Reflecting on her victory, Gauff said, "I felt great out on the court today, unlike my first match here in the first round." Gauff had previously defeated Dayana Yastremska in the Manolo Santana stadium and won her next three matches in straight sets at the Arantxa Sanchez stadium before returning to the center court.
Gauff's impressive win adds to her previous victories against Swiatek at the 2025 United Cup and the WTA Finals last year, both on hardcourt. Last year's runner-up Aryna Sabalenka and in-form Elina Svitolina face off in the second semi-final later tonight.
Meanwhile, on the men's side, Casper Ruud reached the semi-finals with a 6-3, 7-5 triumph over Daniil Medvedev. Despite converting only two out of eight break points, Ruud's pressure on Medvedev's serve proved decisive, while Medvedev failed to produce a single breakpoint. Ruud will face Francisco Cerundolo in the semifinals after he edged past Jakub Mensik 3-6, 7-6 (7/5), 6-2.
Traditionally strong on clay, Ruud will strive to capitalize on his momentum against Cerundolo, while fifth seed Jack Draper faces Matteo Arnaldi, and Lorenzo Musetti takes on Gabriel Diallo in the other quarter-finals.
- In the following year, 2025, Diana Shnaider, who was one of Swiatek's opponents earlier in the season, might represent Russia at the United Cup.
- Meanwhile, in the world of sports tennis, Gauff is expected to return to Garros, the French Open, in 2025, aiming to defend her title.
- Regardless of Swiatek's French Open victory in 2024, tennis enthusiasts will eagerly anticipate her rematch with Gauff at the 2025 Grand Slam tournament.
- As tennis competitions continue to evolve, one can expect to see Diana Shnaider and the dominant Sloane Stephens facing off at international tournament circuits such as Wimbledon or the US Open, alongside favorites like Swiatek and Gauff, in the coming years.
