Iga Swiatek is following in Steffi Graf’s footsteps at the Australian Open

Iga Swiatek reached the semi-finals at the Australian Open. The tennis world number two from Poland won against the American Emma Navarro on Wednesday without any problems with 6:1, 6:2 and has still not lost a set during the tournament. Swiatek will now face the next American, Madison Keys, in the duel for the final. Seeded number 19 in Melbourne Keys won against the Ukrainian It has Switolina After being down the set, the score was 3:6, 6:3, 6:4.

“It was harder than the result says,” said Swiatekthat are in their Five previous matches have only allowed their opponents to play 14 games has. According to data provider Opta, in the history of the Grand Slam tournament in Melbourne, only three players have played fewer games until the semi-finals, including the German tennis legend Steffi Graf 1989.

Swiatek will face Keys in the semifinals

In 2022 the 23-year-old stood Swiatek “down under” already in the semi-finals. At that time she lost to the American Danielle Collins. “Being in the semifinals is great. I’m pushing for more,” said the Pole. She won four of five meetings against Keys. “Madison is a great player with a lot of experience,” praised Swiatek her next opponent. The duel will take place on Thursday, as will the second women’s semi-final between the defending champions Aryna Sabalenka from Belarus and the Spanish woman Paula Badosa.

Keys is fighting for his third final in Melbourne

Keys fought against Svitolina into the round of the best four. The 29-year-old, who currently has ten wins in a row, is making her third attempt to reach the final in Melbourne for the first time. In 2015 and 2022 she failed in the semi-finals. “To be here again in the semi-finals ten years later makes me really proud,” said the American, who started playing on the WTA tour at the age of 14. She doesn’t want to feel any pressure now. “I’m at a point where I see my career for what it has been so far. It doesn’t have to be a Grand Slam to say, ‘I did a really good job and really gave it my all’.”

ÖTV talent Lilli Tagger in the quarterfinals

In the junior field, Lilli Tagger ensures a red-white-red sense of achievement. The 16-year-old from East Tyrol won the round of 16 against the British Mingge Xu with 6:3,6:4. In the quarterfinals, Tagger will face top-seeded Australian local hero Emerson Jones.