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)
TT
20

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.



Zverev's Monte Carlo Exit Assures Sinner of Top Rankings Spot on Tour Return

FILED - 07 March 2025, US, Indian Wells: German tennis player Alexander Zverev in action against Netherlands' Tallon Griekspoor during their men's singles round of 64 match of the Indian Wells Open tennis tournament. Photo: Maximilian Haupt/dpa
FILED - 07 March 2025, US, Indian Wells: German tennis player Alexander Zverev in action against Netherlands' Tallon Griekspoor during their men's singles round of 64 match of the Indian Wells Open tennis tournament. Photo: Maximilian Haupt/dpa
TT
20

Zverev's Monte Carlo Exit Assures Sinner of Top Rankings Spot on Tour Return

FILED - 07 March 2025, US, Indian Wells: German tennis player Alexander Zverev in action against Netherlands' Tallon Griekspoor during their men's singles round of 64 match of the Indian Wells Open tennis tournament. Photo: Maximilian Haupt/dpa
FILED - 07 March 2025, US, Indian Wells: German tennis player Alexander Zverev in action against Netherlands' Tallon Griekspoor during their men's singles round of 64 match of the Indian Wells Open tennis tournament. Photo: Maximilian Haupt/dpa

Jannik Sinner will return to the ATP Tour from his doping ban at next month's Rome Masters as world number one after the Italian's closest challenger Alexander Zverev crashed to an early defeat in Monte Carlo on Tuesday, Reuters reported.
Sinner, 23, accepted a three-month ban in February following an agreement with the World Anti-Doping Agency, which earlier challenged an independent tribunal's decision to clear him of any wrongdoing after he failed two drug tests.
Sinner's absence from the circuit had opened the door for Zverev to replace him at the top of the rankings but the German failed to get beyond the quarter-final stage at any of the six tournaments he played since the Australian Open in January.
The world number two lost 2-6 6-3 7-5 to Sinner's compatriot Matteo Berrettini in the Monte Carlo second round.
"I've not won many matches. So it's been the worst period since my injury," Zverev said, who will have to wait till later in the European claycourt swing for another chance to displace Sinner.
"I played a great first set, and once I got broken in the second set, I played 10 levels down. My ball is much slower. I stop hitting the ball.
"The same story the last few months. Nothing changes. So it's me who lost the match, once again ... I thought my level was terrible, but that's just my opinion."
Defending French Open champion and world number three Carlos Alcaraz, who also squandered the chance to reclaim top spot before Sinner's ban ends on May 4, begins his Monte Carlo campaign against Francisco Cerundolo later on Wednesday.