MELBOURNE: seeded Iga Swiatek continued to work his way through australian open draw on Friday, dismantling Cristina Bucca 6-0 6-1 in bright sunshine on the Margaret Court Arena to reach the fourth lap at a gallop.
The 21-year-old world number one, who is looking to add a first melbourne park crowning the French Open and US Open titles she won last year was all there was to it as she stormed through the first set in 23 minutes.
World No. 100 Bucsa simply had no answer to the match on all pitches from Swiatek and the Spaniard only managed to avoid the dreaded ‘double bagel’ scoreline 6-0 6-0 by holding her last service game.
“My main goal was to stay focused until the end, because sometimes it’s hard when you feel like you’re in control, your mind can wander,” Swiatek said.
“I’m quite happy that I was solid until the end. I didn’t really let Cristina play her game. I know she can be solid, so I’m quite happy that I was disciplined.”
Swiatek has done at least the fourth round at Melbourne Park for the past four years and said she feels she is where she should be heading into week two of the first Grand Slam of the year.
“I feel more and more confident since the first day here. I’m not even talking about the matches, but also about the training sessions,” she added.
“I feel like I’ve done so much work to feel more confident, more relaxed on the court. I’m pretty glad I did because it’s just a little bit easier. When you actually have played those games, you can feel the rhythm a little bit more.”
If the seeds had held, Swiatek would now be preparing for a meeting with Danielle Collinsthe American who beat her in the semi-finals at Melbourne Park last year.
Collins was upset on Friday by Elena Rybakinahowever, Swiatek will therefore have a round of 16 encounter with last year’s Wimbledon winner in a battle of the reigning Grand Slam champions.
Swiatek said she wouldn’t think about that match on Friday and would wait for her coach to tactically prepare her to face the big-served Kazakh.
Rybakina said she didn’t watch the draw and seemed genuinely surprised to meet the world number one after playing what she called her best match of the year so far against Collins.
“It doesn’t matter, the goal is to beat the best players,” said the world number 25.
“I think it’s going to be a tough match. I hope it goes my way.”
The 21-year-old world number one, who is looking to add a first melbourne park crowning the French Open and US Open titles she won last year was all there was to it as she stormed through the first set in 23 minutes.
World No. 100 Bucsa simply had no answer to the match on all pitches from Swiatek and the Spaniard only managed to avoid the dreaded ‘double bagel’ scoreline 6-0 6-0 by holding her last service game.
“My main goal was to stay focused until the end, because sometimes it’s hard when you feel like you’re in control, your mind can wander,” Swiatek said.
“I’m quite happy that I was solid until the end. I didn’t really let Cristina play her game. I know she can be solid, so I’m quite happy that I was disciplined.”
Swiatek has done at least the fourth round at Melbourne Park for the past four years and said she feels she is where she should be heading into week two of the first Grand Slam of the year.
“I feel more and more confident since the first day here. I’m not even talking about the matches, but also about the training sessions,” she added.
“I feel like I’ve done so much work to feel more confident, more relaxed on the court. I’m pretty glad I did because it’s just a little bit easier. When you actually have played those games, you can feel the rhythm a little bit more.”
If the seeds had held, Swiatek would now be preparing for a meeting with Danielle Collinsthe American who beat her in the semi-finals at Melbourne Park last year.
Collins was upset on Friday by Elena Rybakinahowever, Swiatek will therefore have a round of 16 encounter with last year’s Wimbledon winner in a battle of the reigning Grand Slam champions.
Swiatek said she wouldn’t think about that match on Friday and would wait for her coach to tactically prepare her to face the big-served Kazakh.
Rybakina said she didn’t watch the draw and seemed genuinely surprised to meet the world number one after playing what she called her best match of the year so far against Collins.
“It doesn’t matter, the goal is to beat the best players,” said the world number 25.
“I think it’s going to be a tough match. I hope it goes my way.”
