Swiatek crushes qualifier to set up Rybakina clash in Melbourne

With a crushing 6-0, 6-1 win over Cristina Bucsa (Spanish qualifier), Iga Swiatek became the world number one.

For a spot in the quarter-finals, the French and US Open champions will be facing off against Elena Rybakina, Wimbledon title-holder.

Swiatek won in 55 minutes. She only missed a “double bagels” — 6-0 and 6-0 — when Bucsa (ranked 100) finally held her serve at the 5-0 mark in the second set.

After passing a tough examination in the first round, the title favourite from Poland said that she needed some more “intensity”.

She certainly has done it. She cruised into the last 16 with only six losses in her second and third round matches.

The 21-year-old is aiming to win the Australian Open and, with it, the third leg of a career Grand Slam involving all four majors.

Swiatek stated that she was confident in her ability to be solid and decided not to allow her to return. Swiatek made the Australian Open debut at 2019.

“I am glad I was disciplined and only focused on my tactics.

“And yes, I felt like my body was moving into flow. Swiatek added, “So that was nice,” a year after her best Melbourne Park result, which saw her lose to Danielle Collins at the semi-finals.

After defeating Collins last year, she defeated Kazakh Rybakina 6-2 5-7, 6-2.

Swiatek of Rybakina said, “We played in Dubai recently.” “It was not a tournament. It’s an exhibition. Also, we are very familiar with each other.

“We also played as juniors, but we both made so much progress that it doesn’t really make a difference what happened a few years ago.”

Rybakina said Swiatek is improving and would be a very difficult prospect.

Rybakina stated to reporters, “For sure she is very strong physically and mental,” after spending 2hr 5min courtside before knocking out American 13th seed Collins.

“I believe that I must be strong from the beginning to the end if I want to play my aggressive game.

“I will need to maximize my chances. Iga is a great player, I believe.”

dh/pst