Madrid Open: Iga Swiatek sets up blockbuster semifinal with Coco Gauff

By SABC Sport
1st May 2025

World number two Iga Swiatek rallied to defeat Madison Keys 0-6, 6-3, 6-2 in the quarterfinals of the Madrid Open at La Caja Magica on Thursday.

Keys, the world No. 5 and reigning Australian Open champion, lost only nine points in a remarkable opening set as she became the first player to bagel Swiatek on clay since 2019.

Swiatek broke Keys twice in both the second and third sets to gain revenge for her defeat to the 30-year-old American in an epic Australian Open semi-final in January.

In her on-court interview, Swiatek was asked: "You've been giving away a lot of bagels in the last couple of years. How did it feel to have to be on the other side for once?"

The Polish star replied: "Well, not good. At least it's fast, you know (smiles). That's the only positive thing. But for sure, staying on a court and having 0-6 is - I don't know, just weird."

The five-time Grand Slam champion will face Coco Gauff in the semifinals in Madrid.

Swiatek is only the second player in the last 40 years to beat an opponent ranked in the top five after losing an opening set 0-6 at a WTA event on clay.

Steffi Graf is the only other woman to accomplish this, having come back to defeat Arantxa Sanchez Vicario 0-6, 6-2, 6-2 in the 1992 French Open semi-finals.

By beating fifth-ranked Keys, Swiatek now has the second-highest win percentage against top 10 opposition in WTA Tour history.

Her latest triumph has improved her record against top 10 players to an outstanding 49-20 (71%), which sees her edge above Serena Williams (70.9%). Only Graf has a better win rate against the top 10 (75%).

Swiatek is into her 20th semi-final from 36 main draw appearances at WTA 1000 tournaments.

Serena Williams is the only woman to reach the last four at this category of event 20 times from fewer tournaments (31).

The 23-year-old has taken her winning streak at the Madrid Open to 10 matches and improved her record at the tournament to 17-2 (89.5%).

The four-time French Open winner has now won 16 consecutive matches at WTA 1000 level on clay, a run that includes her triumphs in Madrid and Rome last year.