Iga Swiatek hits more impressive milestones after dramatic Paris 2024 win
Iga Swiatek fought her way into the women’s singles semi-finals at Paris 2024 – and the world No 1 once again hit some impressive milestones with her latest triumph.
In a tense contest out on Court Suzanne Lenglen – her first match on that court since last year – the Pole progressed via the retirement of eighth seed Danielle Collins.
The gold medal was leading 6-1, 2-6, 4-1 when the American eighth seed was forced to retire, having taken a lengthy off-court time out at 3-0 down in the decider.
It was an enthralling battle, with some intriguing exchanges between the two.
Collins instructed Swiatek to “play at the server’s pace” at one point after the Pole signalled she was not ready to receive, while she was jeered back on the court after taking a lengthy time out following the second set.
The American also accidentally hit Swiatek with a ball in the opening game of set three, coming around to make sure the five-time Grand Slam champion was okay following the incident.
It was a match full of drama with a rather unfortunate ending, though ultimately Swiatek is through to the Olympic Games last four – and is still a big favourite for the gold medal.
The top seed faces sixth seed Zheng Qinwen in the last four, the Chinese having downed the retiring Angelique Kerber in an extraordinary quarter-final.
Qinwen has recaptured her form after struggling throughout the spring, with a title in Palermo leading into Paris, but Swiatek holds a dominant 6-0 advantage in their head-to-head.
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Whatever happens, Swiatek has already achieved some remarkable feats after her latest victory – including being the first Polish player to reach the last four of a tennis event.
The Pole is only the fourth reigning WTA world No 1 to reach the semi-final of the Games, following in the footsteps of Steffi Graf in 1988, Justine Henin in 2004, and Victoria Azarenka in 2012.
She is also the first woman in 11 years to reach five clay-court semi-finals in a single season, matching the achievement of Serena Williams and Sara Errani in 2013.
Swiatek has reached at least the last four of every clay event she participated in this year, with runs in Stuttgart, Madrid, Rome, and Roland Garros to her name.
And, the four-time French Open winner is also just the fifth woman this century to have won 25 matches on clay in a single season.
She matches Williams and Errani’s 2013 runs again, also joining Jelena Jankovic (2007) and Angeles Montolio (2001).
Victory against Collins was also a 23rd straight win on clay, extending a milestone she reached earlier in the tournament.
Swiatek is one of just four women – alongside Maria Sharapova, Henin, and Williams – to win 20+ consecutive matches on clay post-2000.
She has now eclipsed Sharapova’s best of 21 straight wins, with Henin’s 27-match streak and Williams 28-match streak in her sight.
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