BNP Paribas Open: Iga Świątek cruises past Emma Raducanu to reach Indian Wells quarterfinals

Andrew L. John, Palm Springs Desert Sun
·2 min read
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Iga Świątek beat a U.S. Open champion in straight sets on Stadium Court on Monday at the BNP Paribas Open, and then 24 hours later beat another U.S. Open champion on the same court.

Monday the victory was over Canadian Bianca Andreescu. On Tuesday, it came against unseeded Emma Raducanu of Great Britain.

The 6-3, 6-1 win now moves Świątek, the top seed in the women’s draw at Indian Wells, into the quarterfinals where she’ll face Sorana Cîrstea of Romania on Thursday.

"I think in the middle of the set, there was like a change of momentum a little bit where I won eight points in a row, and that gave me a little bit of boost in confidence and energy," Świątek said.

Iga Swiatek celebrates a point win during her match against Emma Raducanu at the BNP Paribas Open in Indian Wells, Calif., March 14, 2023.
Iga Swiatek celebrates a point win during her match against Emma Raducanu at the BNP Paribas Open in Indian Wells, Calif., March 14, 2023.

Świątek, 21, has now won nine consecutive matches at Indian Wells, dating back to last year’s championship run.

While Monday’s win over Andreescu came with a bit of resistance, Tuesday’s came with very little. Świątek held serve in the first set, went up a break and served out the set without a problem.

In the second set, Raducanu held serve in the first game before Świątek went up a double break while holding serve. She patrolled the baseline with authority, missed very few shots and pounced in the key moments. She was methodical, dominant and looked downright unbeatable.

Emma Raducanu runs down a shot in her match against Iga Swiatek at the BNP Paribas Open in Indian Wells, Calif., March 14, 2023.
Emma Raducanu runs down a shot in her match against Iga Swiatek at the BNP Paribas Open in Indian Wells, Calif., March 14, 2023.

Świątek has held the top-ranking in women’s tennis since moving to No. 1 on April 3, 2022. Just three women have held the top ranking for more consecutive weeks in their first stint — Steffi Graf, Martina Hingis and Serena Williams.

Only one other woman — Martina Navratilova — has won back-to-back Indian Wells titles. Świątek is now three wins away from becoming the second.

She will now need to get past Cîrstea to do that.

"Tactically, I have to do the work again," Świątek said. "But, you know, I practice with her and I know what she's capable of and how well she can play. So I'll be ready for anything."

Andrew John covers the BNP Paribas Open for The Desert Sun and the USA TODAY Network. Email him at andrew.john@desertsun.com.

This article originally appeared on Palm Springs Desert Sun: BNP Paribas Open: Iga Świątek beats Emma Raducanu to reach Indian Wells quarters