Swiatek into 10th semi of 2022

World number one Iga Swiatek reached her 10th semi-final of the season on Friday by defeating American qualifier Caty McNally in straight sets at the Ostrava WTA tournament.

French and US Open champion Swiatek triumphed 6-4, 6-4 to take her 2022 record to 59 wins against just seven defeats.

The 21-year-old Pole is just one victory away from tying Caroline Wozniacki, the last player to win 60 matches in a single season in 2017.

“It was definitely physical -- at the beginning of the second set I could feel my energy level went down a little bit,” said Swiatek. “I’m pretty happy I got it back again and I could use my experience in my important moments, because Caty played really well.”

Swiatek will face either wild card Tereza Martincova of the Czech Republic or Russia’s Ekaterina Alexandrova on Saturday for a place in the final. – AFP