Top-ranked Iga Swiatek appears to be finding her rhythm on grass ahead of Wimbledon. Swiatek, a three-time French Open champion on clay and a U.S. Open winner on New York hard courts, faced Anna Blinkova in her 1st tour-level grass-court quarterfinal on Thursday at the Bad Homburg Open.
Swiatek broke Blinkova’s serve to love three times during the Polish player’s easy 6-3, 6-2 victory, making it clear that she belonged there. This victory also demonstrated her skills. After successfully defending her title at the French Open, it was Swiatek’s 10th straight victory.
“I wouldn’t even call myself close to being an expert on grass but I’m making progress,” she said.
Lucia Bronzetti, who defeated Varvara Gracheva, a Russian-born player competing in her first tournament after switching allegiance to France, 6-4, 6-3, in the quarterfinals, stands in Swiatek’s way of a first grass final.
The Bad Homburg Open serves as a warm-up for Wimbledon, where Swiatek has 3 appearances and reached the 4th round in 2021. In 2018, she won the junior Wimbledon title.
Swiatek said, “Hopefully I’m going to be able to play like that for the next three weeks.” Wimbledon main-draw play begins on Monday.
In the second semifinal, American Emma Navarro will face either Liudmila Samsonova or Katerina Siniakova.