Swiatek soars past Keys to seal Italian Open semi-final spot

Iga Swiatek soared through to the Italian Open semi-finals following a dominant straight-sets victory over Madison Keys.

The world number one took just 76 minutes to wrap up a commanding 6-1 6-3 win - matching the scoreline which saw her overcome the American in the Madrid Open last four a fortnight ago.

Swiatek broke her opponent four times and saved all 10 break points she faced on the way to setting up a semi-final showdown with either Coco Gauff or Qinwen Zheng.

Yet to drop a set this week, the Pole remains on course to complete a hat-trick of titles in Rome and land her fourth silverware of 2024, in which she now boasts a 36-4 record.

53.3 - Reaching a 16th WTA-1000 semi-final from 30 main draws entered, Iga Swiatek (53.3%) has surpassed Serena Williams (53.1%, 26-49) for the highest rate of WTA-1000 SFs reached, since the format’s introduction in 2009. Otherworldly.#IBI24 | @InteBNLdItalia @WTA @WTA_insider pic.twitter.com/3EjbfCaxx0

— OptaAce (@OptaAce) May 14, 2024

Data debrief

Reaching her 16th WTA 1000 semi-final from 30 main draws entered, Swiatek (53.3 per cent) surpasses Serena Williams (53.1 per cent, 26 from 49) for the highest rate of last-four appearances in such tournaments since the format's introduction in 2009.

The Pole also took her tally of WTA match wins on clay to 75 from 85, with only Monica Seles, Nancy Richey (both 80), Chris Evert (81) and Margaret Court (82) reaching that figure on surface in fewer matches during the Open Era.