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.



Atalanta Fan Stabbed to Death in Clashes with Inter Supporters

FILE PHOTO: Atalanta fans unfurl banner for 26-year old Atalanta BC fan, Riccardo Claris who was stabbed to death during clashes with Inter Milan supporters, in Italian reading: "Claris is everywhere with us", during the match against AC Monza, in Monza, Italy, May 4, 2025. REUTERS/Daniele Mascolo /File Photo
FILE PHOTO: Atalanta fans unfurl banner for 26-year old Atalanta BC fan, Riccardo Claris who was stabbed to death during clashes with Inter Milan supporters, in Italian reading: "Claris is everywhere with us", during the match against AC Monza, in Monza, Italy, May 4, 2025. REUTERS/Daniele Mascolo /File Photo
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Atalanta Fan Stabbed to Death in Clashes with Inter Supporters

FILE PHOTO: Atalanta fans unfurl banner for 26-year old Atalanta BC fan, Riccardo Claris who was stabbed to death during clashes with Inter Milan supporters, in Italian reading: "Claris is everywhere with us", during the match against AC Monza, in Monza, Italy, May 4, 2025. REUTERS/Daniele Mascolo /File Photo
FILE PHOTO: Atalanta fans unfurl banner for 26-year old Atalanta BC fan, Riccardo Claris who was stabbed to death during clashes with Inter Milan supporters, in Italian reading: "Claris is everywhere with us", during the match against AC Monza, in Monza, Italy, May 4, 2025. REUTERS/Daniele Mascolo /File Photo

A 26-year-old fan of Italian Serie A team Atalanta was stabbed to death during clashes between Atalanta and Inter Milan supporters in the northern city of Bergamo, Italy's Carabinieri police said on Sunday.
It marked a troubling continuation of fan violence in Italy, where last month 13 police officers were injured during clashes between AS Roma and Lazio supporters ahead of the Rome derby.
The Atalanta and Inter fans got into an argument in a pub in Bergamo on Saturday night after one of the Inter supporters chanted provocatively, the head of Carabinieri office in Bergamo Carmelo Beringheli told Reuters.
The confrontation then continued in a street near the Atalanta stadium and escalated into violence when an Inter supporter stabbed the Atalanta fan, he said, adding that emergency services arrived swiftly but were unable to save his life.
A boy in his late teens had been arrested and said he acted to protect his brother, Reuters quoted Beringheli as saying.
Atalanta fans unfurled a banner at the start of their 4-0 Serie A win at Monza on Sunday in memory of the murdered fan.
"What happened to our fan must never happen again", Atalanta manager Gian Piero Gasperini said in a press conference after the match.
There was no official comment from the club on the incident.
In 2023, a Paris St Germain supporter was seriously injured in Italy after being stabbed during clashes between fans ahead of a Champions League match against AC Milan.
Also that year, a 58-year-old Newcastle United fan was hospitalized after being stabbed in Milan by hooded attackers on the eve of another Champions League game.