BAD HOMBURG, Germany — Fourth seed Iga Swiatek solved crossword puzzles throughout an hour-long rain interruption on Thursday however stored her focus to earn a 6-4 7-6(5) victory over Russia’s Ekaterina Alexandrova and attain the Unhealthy Homburg Open semifinals.
The Pole, who’s taking part in her solely grasscourt match within the run-up to Wimbledon which begins subsequent week, struggled at instances and had 37 unforced errors in opposition to Alexandrova earlier than establishing a semifinal in opposition to second-seed Jasmine Paolini.
“I believe at present was all about adjusting to the circumstances as a result of it was tremendous windy,” Swiatek stated. “On one hand to be intense then again being protected.”
“Ekaterina is a tricky opponent. I’ve misplaced in opposition to her earlier than. She will play superb tennis and her flat photographs actually match the grass so I’m joyful I’m via.”
She gained the primary set after breaking Alexandrova twice however the match was interrupted halfway via the second set with rain beginning to fall.
Swiatek stated she stored centered by fixing crossword puzzles in the course of the break and it appeared to work as she held serve all through the second set to clinch the tiebreak and face Paolini subsequent. Swiatek at the moment leads Paolini of their head-to-head 4-0.
The Italian, a Wimbledon finalist final yr, recorded her fourth win over Beatriz Haddad Maia in as many conferences with a 7-5 7-5 victory.
It was additionally her first win over the Brazilian in straight units because the Italian reached her fourth semifinal of the season.
Prime-seed Jessica Pegula joined her within the final 4 after needing three units to edge previous fellow American and fifth-seed Emma Navarro 6-4 1-6 6-3.
Pegula will face 20-year-old Czech Linda Noskova who outplayed third-seed Mirra Andreeva 6-3 6-3.