Swiatek Storms past Gauff into San Diego Semi-finals

Iga Swiatek of Poland reacts during her match against Coco Gauff of the United States during Day 5 of the San Diego Open, part of the Hologic WTA Tour, at Barnes Tennis Center on October 14, 2022 in San Diego, California. (Getty Images/AFP)
Iga Swiatek of Poland reacts during her match against Coco Gauff of the United States during Day 5 of the San Diego Open, part of the Hologic WTA Tour, at Barnes Tennis Center on October 14, 2022 in San Diego, California. (Getty Images/AFP)
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Swiatek Storms past Gauff into San Diego Semi-finals

Iga Swiatek of Poland reacts during her match against Coco Gauff of the United States during Day 5 of the San Diego Open, part of the Hologic WTA Tour, at Barnes Tennis Center on October 14, 2022 in San Diego, California. (Getty Images/AFP)
Iga Swiatek of Poland reacts during her match against Coco Gauff of the United States during Day 5 of the San Diego Open, part of the Hologic WTA Tour, at Barnes Tennis Center on October 14, 2022 in San Diego, California. (Getty Images/AFP)

World number one Iga Swiatek stormed into the semi-finals of the San Diego Open with a 6-0 6-3 thrashing of American Coco Gauff, moving a step closer to claiming an eighth women's title in 2022.

Swiatek delivered a dominant display on Friday, needing just 65 minutes to dismiss the eighth-ranked 18-year-old.

At one stage, a double-bagel exit looked a distinct possibility as Swiatek led 6-0 2-0 and 0-30 on Gauff's serve, before the American managed to hold and stem the flow of points against her.

Gauff held serve two more times but was broken once again as Swiatek progressed to her 11th semi-final of the year.

"I was happy I was able to keep my focus. When it's going well, it's really hard to keep focus and play that same level of tennis," said Swiatek, whose seven titles this year include two grand slams - the French and US Opens.

"I'm feeling better, every day is a new day to get some experience on these courts. The jet lag is getting better, and staying up tonight will help me fight it."

Swiatek next takes on American fourth seed Jessica Pegula, who beat compatriot Madison Keys 6-4 7-5 earlier on Friday.

"I don't have any expectations, I'm just trying to be relaxed and play my game," Swiatek said.

"I'm happy I'm going to face Jessica, because we always play such solid matches with great rallies, really physical."

American Danielle Collins will play Spanish second seed Paula Badosa later on Friday, with the winner going on to face Croatian Donna Vekic in the other semi-final.



Lionel Messi, Inter Miami Drive Club World Cup Ratings

Soccer Football - FIFA Club World Cup - Inter Miami CF Training - Inter Miami CF Training Centre, Fort Lauderdale, Florida, US - June 26, 2025 Inter Miami CF's Lionel Messi with Luis Suarez during training REUTERS/Hannah Mckay
Soccer Football - FIFA Club World Cup - Inter Miami CF Training - Inter Miami CF Training Centre, Fort Lauderdale, Florida, US - June 26, 2025 Inter Miami CF's Lionel Messi with Luis Suarez during training REUTERS/Hannah Mckay
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Lionel Messi, Inter Miami Drive Club World Cup Ratings

Soccer Football - FIFA Club World Cup - Inter Miami CF Training - Inter Miami CF Training Centre, Fort Lauderdale, Florida, US - June 26, 2025 Inter Miami CF's Lionel Messi with Luis Suarez during training REUTERS/Hannah Mckay
Soccer Football - FIFA Club World Cup - Inter Miami CF Training - Inter Miami CF Training Centre, Fort Lauderdale, Florida, US - June 26, 2025 Inter Miami CF's Lionel Messi with Luis Suarez during training REUTERS/Hannah Mckay

Lionel Messi, arguably the most recognizable player in the Club World Cup, is steering viewership to his underdog team.

Messi and his Inter Miami teammates are helping the expanded tournament draw US television ratings that are roughly comparable to those of the Premier League in the recently concluded season, Reuters reported.

Club World Cup broadcasts in English on TNT Sports (TNT, TBS and truTV) were averaging 360,000 through Wednesday, per Sports Media Watch. Sports Business Journal noted that the highly popular Premier League drew 394,000 per match on USA Network in the 2024-25 season.

Only a small number of Club World Cup are carried by TNT Sports, with all matches available on DAZN.

Three of the top seven English-language telecasts on TNT Sports featured Inter Miami, led by 676,000 tuning in to see the Major League Soccer side draw 2-2 with Brazil's Palmeiras on Monday. The Miami matches attracted even larger viewership on Spanish-language broadcasts.

Inter Miami drew 0-0 with Egypt's Al Ahly (371,000 viewers), then earned an upset 2-1 win over Portugal's Porto (349,000) before the tie with Palmeiras. Those results allowed Messi & Co. to finish second in Group A, setting up a Round of 16 matchup with Paris Saint-Germain that should be a rating bonanza.

The Sunday contest in Atlanta pits Messi against the team he represented immediately before coming to Miami. And PSG are the newly crowned winners of the UEFA Champions League, the most prestigious continental club tournament.

According to Sports Media Watch, the CONCACAF Gold Cup matchup on Sunday between the US men's national team and Haiti attracted an audience of 1.2 million viewers on Fox. The US won 2-1 to finish atop its group and set up a Sunday quarterfinal contest against Costa Rica in Minneapolis.