Iga Swiatek, the world’s top-ranked women’s tennis player, continued her impressive form by reaching the Madrid Open final for the second consecutive year. The Polish star cruised to a straight-set victory over American Madison Keys, 6-1, 6-3, in the semifinals on Thursday.
Swiatek, who has won two titles this year in Indian Wells and Doha, dominated the match from the start. She broke Keys’ serve twice in the first set and never looked back. In the second set, Swiatek broke Keys’ serve early and held on to her advantage to secure the victory.
“It was a pretty clean performance and really solid game from myself,” Swiatek said. “I’m happy with everything.”
The Madrid Open is the only high-profile European clay-court competition that Swiatek has yet to win. She will face either world No. 2 Aryna Sabalenka or No. 4 Elena Rybakina in the final.
“I’m happy that we can play a final against the top players,” Swiatek said. “It shows consistency. For sure it’s going to be a challenge, whoever it’s going to be, and a tough match. I will be ready. I will focus on myself.”
Sabalenka defeated Swiatek in the Madrid final last year.
Meanwhile, in the men’s draw, Daniil Medvedev retired from his quarterfinal match against Jiri Lehecka due to an injury. Medvedev, the world No. 4, lost the first set 6-4 before retiring. Lehecka will now face Felix Auger-Aliassime in the semifinals.
“It’s never easy in a match like this,” Lehecka said of Medvedev’s retirement. “If I were to choose the way how to win this match, it wouldn’t be like that. So of course, it’s never easy to see your opponent struggling, but at that moment, you just need to focus on yourself, trying to get the maximum level out of yourself.”
