Iga Swiatek made light work out of Sorana Cirstea as the world No. 1 crushed the 27th-seeded Romanian 6-1 6-1.
In the opening match on the Centre Court of Saturday’s programme, Swiatek gave no chance to former world No. 21 Cirstea as the Pole lost a total of two games in an hour and 18 minutes of action.
Now, Swiatek owns a 4-0 head-to-head against Cirstea.
By beating Cirstea, Swiatek has been through to the Madrid round-of-16 for the third time in her third appearance at Caja Magica. For a place in the Madrid quarterfinal, Swiatek will be playing against the winner of the match between Victoria Azarenka and Sara Sorribes Tormo.
Iga Swiatek © Getty Images Sport – Clive Brunskill
How Swiatek beat Cirstea?
Swiatek made an emphatic start to the match, claiming three consecutive breaks for a 5-0 lead. Just when it seemed that Swiatek would clinch another bagel set – something she is well-known for – she failed to serve out for the opener in the sixth game.
However, failing to close out the set in the sixth game didn’t impact Swiatek much since the Pole earned her fourth break of the set in the seventh game to seal the first set.
When the second set started, Cirstea managed to serve out the second game and tie the set to one game apiece. But it didn’t take long before Swiatek went on another big run as the Pole won the next five games to complete her dominant two-set win over Cirstea.
Iga Swiatek © Getty Images Sport – Clive Brunskill
So far, Swiatek has had two routine straight-set wins in Madrid. In her next match, Swiatek could face former world No. 1 Azarenka – but even if that happens – she will be the big favorite to win.
For Swiatek, winning Madrid would be big because that’s the only WTA 1000 tournament on clay that she is missing in her collection. For that to happen, Swiatek needs tio win four more matches but she is getting closer.
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