World No. 2 Iga Swiatek overcame a tough test from rising Russian Diana Shnaider to advance to the Madrid Open quarterfinals with a hard-fought 6-0, 6-7(3), 6-4 victory.
Swiatek dominated the opening set, not allowing Shnaider a single game or break point. But the 21-year-old Russian regrouped impressively, breaking Swiatek in the first game of the second set and twice going up a break before being pushed to a tiebreaker. There, Shnaider held her nerve, racing to a 5-1 lead and converting her first set point to force a decider.
The third set saw both players battling fiercely, with Shnaider earning break opportunities in the fourth and sixth games. However, it was Swiatek who capitalized, securing the decisive break in the fifth game to seal the win and reach her third straight Madrid quarterfinal.
Shnaider, who is working with former WTA star Dinara Safina this clay season, showed impressive resilience and mental toughness despite the loss.
“She understands the pressure I’m under,” Shnaider said recently of Safina. “She can definitely give me advice on how to handle it.”
Swiatek will next face either Madison Keys or Donna Vekic in the quarterfinals.
