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.



Real Target Jeddah Super Cup Final Success in Clasico to Atone for Barca Mauling

 Real Madrid's Italian coach Carlo Ancelotti attends a press conference in Jeddah on January 11, 2025, on the eve of their Spanish Super Cup final football match against Barcelona. (AFP)
Real Madrid's Italian coach Carlo Ancelotti attends a press conference in Jeddah on January 11, 2025, on the eve of their Spanish Super Cup final football match against Barcelona. (AFP)
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Real Target Jeddah Super Cup Final Success in Clasico to Atone for Barca Mauling

 Real Madrid's Italian coach Carlo Ancelotti attends a press conference in Jeddah on January 11, 2025, on the eve of their Spanish Super Cup final football match against Barcelona. (AFP)
Real Madrid's Italian coach Carlo Ancelotti attends a press conference in Jeddah on January 11, 2025, on the eve of their Spanish Super Cup final football match against Barcelona. (AFP)

Real Madrid's humiliating 4-0 home loss to Barcelona in October still haunts the club as the rivals prepare for their second Clasico of the season in the Spanish Super Cup final on Sunday.

LaLiga leaders Real recovered from that setback and are on a five-match winning streak ahead of defending the Super Cup in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, but coach Carlo Ancelotti is cautious.

"We have to think about what happened in the first game because they beat us (in LaLiga)," Ancelotti told reporters on Saturday as he looked forward to Real's second cup final in a month, having won the Intercontinental Cup in December.

"We've made a pretty clear assessment, so we'll have to repeat the good things we did and avoid the mistakes. A Clasico is always a Clasico, but a final puts a bit more pressure on you."

Ancelotti has all the players who travelled available for the final including England midfielder Jude Bellingham, who experienced some muscle issues during the semi-final where he scored the first goal in a 3-0 win over Mallorca.

"He's fine, he's recovered well," the Italian said of Bellingham who is Real's third-highest scorer and joint-top with assists in their current LaLiga campaign.

The coach said the Super Cup was an important title, and statistically Real had a good season every time they won it.

"When we haven't won it, it hasn't gone well. It's a competition that gives you a lot more motivation," said Ancelotti, whose last two Champions League trophies with Real have coincided with Super Cup wins.

"Barcelona are a historic rival and the matches are always very competitive. It's difficult for us and for them. The result of the match cannot be predicted," he added.