'This result is a great thing,' Iga Swiatek gets past Madison Keys in straight sets to reach back-to-back finals in Madrid

The 29-year-old American tried to make a comeback in the second set after losing 6-1 and eventually losing with a scoreline of 6-1, 6-3. After the match, Swiatek expressed her happiness for repeating last year’s result.

I feel perfect. I wasn’t really thinking about what happened last year. But repeating this result is a great thing. I’ll have a chance to play a nice match in 2 days. So it’s really exciting. I’m happy overall with the whole tournament. Iga Swiatek said after the match

The Pole will face the winner of the second semifinal in the summit clash on Saturday (May 4). Elena Rybakina faces Aryna Sabalenka in the next semifinal. 

List of records Iga Swiatek broke after her semifinal win over Madison Keys 

After winning the semifinal match against Madison Keys, Iga Swiatek scripted a unique record. She became the youngest player to reach 10 WTA finals on clay courts since former Swiss player Martina Hingis. The five-time Grand Slam champion achieved the feat in 2000. 

Apart from this, the Pole also became the sixth woman to reach back-to-back Madrid Open singles finals. Plus, she has so far played eight matches without dropping a single game this year. The match on Saturday will also be Swiatek’s 11th final at a WTA 1000-level event. 

Last year in Madrid, she lost to Aryna Sabalena in the final in three sets 6-3, 3-6, 6-3. The Madrid Open is the only tournament at a WTA 1000 level or above that the Pole has not won on clay. She is searching for her third title of the year, after winning the Qatar Open and Indian Wells.

Talking about the opponents she may face in the final, Swiatek doesn’t have a great record against Elena Rybakina. She won just two matches in six encounters, the last being the Stuttgart Open semifinal which she lost. However, the 22-year-old leads the head-to-head record against Sabalenka, winning six out of the nine they have played.