Iga Swiatek improves outstanding record against WTA 1000 champions at Miami Open
Iga Swiatek bettered an outstanding WTA 1000 record she holds after her fourth round victory against Elina Svitolina at the 2025 Miami Open.
The world No 2 earned a hard-fought 7-6(5), 6-3 win against Svitolina, the world No 22, at the Hard Rock Stadium.
Swiatek was up a break three times in the opening set, but the 30-year-old Ukrainian hit back on each occasion as she forced a tiebreak.
The Pole secured a decisive third mini-break to narrowly take the tiebreak before battling her way to win the second set and book her spot in the quarter-finals.
“It was much tougher to problem-solve, especially because Elina was also putting on some pressure,” Swiatek said in her on-court interview.
“I needed to adjust, and I’m happy that I picked the right moments at the end to play more aggressively, and sometimes I was more patient.”
Swiatek now holds a 13-1 record against Ukrainian players, with the only defeat coming against Svitolina at Wimbledon in 2023.
The 23-year-old’s latest triumph over Svitolina — who is a winner of four WTA 1000 titles — was her 37th victory against a former WTA 1000 champion at this category of event.
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This moves Swiatek to joint-second with Petra Kvitova on the list of players with the most victories against WTA 1000 champions at WTA 1000 tournaments since the format was introduced in 2009.
Only former world No 1 Victoria Azarenka has earned more such wins (41).
Most wins vs. WTA 1000 winners at WTA 1000 events
1. Victoria Azarenka – 41
=2. Petra Kvitova – 37
=2. Iga Swiatek – 37
=4. Serena Williams – 33
=4. Aryna Sabalenka – 33
Swiatek also overcame Caroline Garcia — another former WTA 1000 champion — in her opening match in Miami.
With a 37-10 (78.7%) record, Swiatek has the highest win rate against WTA 1000 titlists at this level of tournament of any player since the format’s inception.
What next for Swiatek?
Swiatek will face history-making 19-year-old Filipino wildcard and world No 140 Alexandra Eala in the quarter-finals in Miami.
The Polish star is seeking her first title of 2025, having not reached a final since she secured her fourth French Open crown and fifth Grand Slam in June last year.
The former world No 1 is a former Miami Open champion, having won the WTA 1000 event in 2022 to complete the Sunshine Double.
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