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.



Only a British Finalist, or his Children, Will Bring Murray to Wimbledon this Year

FILED - 10 July 2016, United Kingdom, London: British tennis player Andy Murray kisses the trohpy after winning the Wimbledon final against Australian tennis player Nick Kyrgios. Photo: Adam Davy/PA Wire/dpa
FILED - 10 July 2016, United Kingdom, London: British tennis player Andy Murray kisses the trohpy after winning the Wimbledon final against Australian tennis player Nick Kyrgios. Photo: Adam Davy/PA Wire/dpa
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Only a British Finalist, or his Children, Will Bring Murray to Wimbledon this Year

FILED - 10 July 2016, United Kingdom, London: British tennis player Andy Murray kisses the trohpy after winning the Wimbledon final against Australian tennis player Nick Kyrgios. Photo: Adam Davy/PA Wire/dpa
FILED - 10 July 2016, United Kingdom, London: British tennis player Andy Murray kisses the trohpy after winning the Wimbledon final against Australian tennis player Nick Kyrgios. Photo: Adam Davy/PA Wire/dpa

Andy Murray said he has no plans to attend Wimbledon this year unless a British player makes the final, or his children want to go.

Murray, who won two of his three major titles at Wimbledon and ended Britain's 77-year wait for a men's singles champion at the grass-court Grand Slam in 2013, said he rarely attends tennis matches as a fan.

"I don't have any plans to go," Murray, who lifted the title again in 2016, told British media.

"I'm not working there. I don't go to watch tennis as a fan. But if one of my kids wanted to go along and watch, I obviously would take them. If a British player made the final I'd go.

"I went to the Novak Djokovic v Carlos Alcaraz final a couple of years ago, just because I had a feeling it was going to be a great match. But I won't be there otherwise."

Murray, who will be immortalized with a statue during Wimbledon's 150th anniversary in 2027, ended his playing career after the Paris Olympics before joining the coaching team of 24-time Grand Slam champion Novak Djokovic ahead of the Australian Open.

That partnership failed to yield any trophies and ended before the French Open.

According to Reuters, Murray said British men's tennis was in good hands and he expected Jack Draper to cope with the added pressure after winning at Indian Wells in March and climbing the rankings to fourth in the world.

Draper will be seeded fourth when the Wimbledon main draw begins on Monday.

"It'll be a little bit different this year coming in as a top seed but he'll deal with it well," Murray said.

"He's played in difficult environments and under pressure before, and I'm sure he'll cope with it well."