World No. 1 Iga Swiatek has powered into the quarter final at the Dubai Championships with an assertive victory over Liudmila Samsonova in a game that lasted just 76 minutes.
The No.1 seed was in fine form, winning 6-1, 6-0 in Wednesday’s last-16 clash to continue a fine run after her victory in Qatar last week.
Flawless. Again.@iga_swiatek defeats Samsonova 6-1, 6-0 to reach the last eight in Dubai.#DDFTennis pic.twitter.com/nahSBP2TWW
— wta (@WTA) February 22, 2023
Swiatek, who narrowly beat Samsonova in an epic three-set encounter in the Stuttgart semi-finals last year, put in an utterly dominant display this time around at the WTA 1000 event.
Samsonova struggled with a first-serve percentage of just 58.5, and Swiatek was ruthless in amassing 19 of 22 points on the Russian’s second serve.
The Pole did not have to fend off a break point in cruising to victory and will square against Karolina Pliskova in the quarters as her impressive recovery continues following her disappointment at being beaten in the last-16 of the Australian Open.
Improving her win-loss record to 52-8 since rising to #1 in April 2022.
Only Serena Williams (55) and Justine Henin (54) recorded more wins after 60 matches as World No. 1 this century.@iga_swiatek | #1GA pic.twitter.com/4HUzMSZGKV
— wta (@WTA) February 22, 2023
Pliskova, a two-time grand slam finalist, battled her way to a 7-5 6-7 (6-8) 6-2 win against Anhelina Kalinina to reach the last eight in Dubai for the fifth time in her career.
There were also two American milestones, with Madison Keys needing only 57 minutes to beat Victoria Azarenka, who struggled with her movement, while Jessica Pegula won her first career meeting with Ana Bogdan in straight sets.
Elsewhere, 2019 winner Belinda Bencic bowed out, with Karolina Muchova, who also knocked out Maria Sakkari this week, triumphed 6-1 6-4 to book a quarter-final date with Pegula.
