Iga Swiatek is just one win short from becoming queen of the desert for an astonishing second time in three years. The world No. 1 dismantled Marta Kostyuk, 6-2, 6-1 to reach the 2024 BNP Paribas Open final.
“I’m proud of myself and really excited,” Swiatek said after the match. “I think it was a great match for me today. I have all positive vibes.”
Swiatek was red hot against an out-of-sorts Kostyuk, competing in chilly, overcast conditions. She struck only six unforced errors in two sets to reach her 10th WTA 1000 final in one hour and nine minutes on Stadium 1 Court.
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Swiatek and Kostyuk were standing off for the second time on the Hologic WTA tour. However the two go back to their junior days. Before winning the 2017 Australian Open girls’ singles title, Kostyuk was last defeated by Swiatek. And 18 months later Swiatek would go on to win her first junior Slam. She was on top of the women’s game with a first Grand Slam victory at Roland Garros, by the end of 2020.
Kostyuk made faster progress on the WTA circuit when she reached the third round of the 2018 Australian Open. However, she has yet to achieve the same level of success as Swiatek, who has become a four-time major champion and world No. 1.
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Iga Swiatek Dominates Kostyuk to Reach Indian Wells Semifinals
Yet Marta Kostyuk, is in the midst of a career-best season. She started the season of 2024 with a run to her first major quarterfinal in Melbourne and backing it up at the Indian Wells Tennis Garden. In the Indian Wells Tennis Garden she surged into her first WTA 1000 semifinal.
Although she was the first one to register her name on the board, Swiatek’s relentless hitting combined with erratic play from Kostyuk enabled the top seed to win the next five games in succession. Ultimately, Swiatek secured the opening set in just over half an hour.
The stadium 1 spectators, wanting for a more competitive and equal match, tried to uplift the rattled Ukrainian, who quickly dropped the first two games of the second set. But the situation worsened in the following game when Kostyuk jammed her foot on game point, prompting her to call the trainer during the ensuing changeover.
Iga Swiatek kept her nerve as Kostyuk was treated and emerged from the medical timeout. The polish went on to consolidate her double-break advantage as she swept a forehand into the open court to move within four points of the finish line
Swiatek was soon at match point as she drew a backhand error from the overawed No. 31 seed. The 22-year-old went on to convert the match point with a thunderous forehand return winner.
The winner of the second semifinal between US Open champion Coco Gauff (with Swiatek leading 9-1) and 2022 finalist Maria Sakkari (with Sakkari leading 3-2) will be standing between Swiatek and a second BNP Paribas Open title. They will face off later on Friday.
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