PA Media/dpa
Madrid
Iga Swiatek surged into the final of the WTA Madrid Open with a comprehensive victory over Madison Keys on Thursday.
Swiatek needed just 71 minutes to secure a 6-1, 6-3 win and reach the final for the second year in succession.
The world number one broke serve in the second game of the match and, after saving two break points for a 4-1 lead, never looked in danger of relinquishing the upper hand against her big-hitting opponent.
“(I feel) really good,” Swiatek said in a courtside interview broadcast on Sky Sports.
“I wasn’t really thinking about what happened last year, but for sure repeating this great result is a great thing and I’m going to have a chance to play a nice match in two days, so it’s really exciting and I’m happy overall with the whole tournament.” Swiatek will face either reigning champion Aryna Sabalenka or Elena Rybakina in the final, Sabalenka having beaten Swiatek in three sets 12 months ago.
