Iga Sviatek and Elena Rybakina will meet for the third time in 2023 as they clash in the Italian Open quarterfinals.
World No. 1 Sviatek overcame a rain-delayed match against Donna Vekic 6-3, 6-4 to reach the last eight, while Rybakina reached the fourth round with a 6-3, 6-3 win against Marketa Vonrossova on Monday. .
Two-time defending champion Switek’s match against Vekic was her biggest challenge in Rome this year, dropping just two games in the opening two games, winning 6-0, 6-0 and 6-2, 6-0. She is now 14-0 in her winning streak
«I played well in the most important points,» she said. I am glad that I was alert and stronger during those important moments.
«I knew I could play a more active game, but on the other hand, when the balls are hard in these conditions, it’s very difficult to speed up the game,» Poulou added. I waited for the right moment to break. I say I want to be kind to my decisions. «
Defense against attack 🔥
Unbelievable thing from @iga_swiatek To get the break in the 2nd set!#IBI23 pic.twitter.com/gHLYMIQiFD
— wta (@WTA) May 16, 2023
But Rybakina has the numbers of a three-time Grand Slam winner this year, so the competition will be much tougher on Wednesday.
The reigning Wimbledon champion beat Walton in the last 16 at the Australian Open in January and again two months later in the semifinals at the Indian Wells Open. On both occasions, the Kazakhstani player won in straight sets.
“It will not be easy. She is in good shape this season. It’s going to be a challenge but I’m ready for it,” Swiatek said. “We’ll see how it goes. I still feel very comfortable on clay so I hope it will be a good match.
The history of Iga Sviatek and Elena Rabakina so far…
In the year In 2021, Ostrava won 7-6 (7-5) 6-2 to give Sviatek her first appearance in the quarter-finals, but Rybakina won 6-4, 6-4 in the fourth round of the Australian Open. This year and in India, Wales won 6, -2, 6-2.
The winner of the Swiatek-Rybakina match will face either Jelena Ostapenko or Paula Badosa in the semifinals. Latvia Ostapenko beat eighth seed Daria Katkina 6-4, 4-6, 6-0, while Badosa beat Karolina Muchova 6-4, 6-7 (4-7), 6-2.
Read more: Iga Swiatek could be ‘tortured’ against Rafael Nadal – ‘It won’t be fun to watch him like that’