The good news for Iga Swiatek is that, after two straight early exits in Melbourne, she returned to the Australian Open semis for the first time since 2022. This year, in her first five matches, Swiatek was exceptionally dominant, dropping just 14 games in ten sets. As Emma Navarro said after losing 6-1, 6-2 to Swiatek in an 89-minute quarterfinal, “I think something she does really well is she’s really quick, and she does everything with 100 percent conviction and intensity.”
Said Swiatek that day, “These tournaments are long. Even if you start amazing, like, something can happen during the two weeks. I wouldn’t say something feels super different. Probably, yeah, I feel like I’m relaxed and just focused on the right things.” Amid last year’s frustrating losses at Wimbledon and the US Open, as well as her recent drug suspension, it was refreshing to see Swiatek playing with renewed focus and precision.
