Italian Open: Swiatek extends winning run in Rome to reach the semis

Swiatek extended her winning run in Rome after an impressive display in the quarterfinal at the Internazionali d’Italia on a steamy Tuesday.

The 22-year-old pole defeated her opponent Madison Keys 6-1, 6-3 in 76 minutes to reach the last four.

Swiatek will be looking for fourth title in five years and has won 25 of 26 matches in Paris in the past four appearances. Based on her scintillating play here, that doesn’t look like a reach by any means.

Chatting with reporters after defeating Sorana Cirstea in the fourth round, she talked about how her gifts for power were diminished by clay.

“It takes away from my attributes,” she explained. “Everything is dampened just a little bit. That’s the biggest thing.

“It’s not Cincinnati at 2 in the afternoon on a bouncy fast court. Sounds like a good time to me.”

Against Keys, Swiatek faced 10 break points — and saved them all. She broke Keys’ formidable serve four times.

Swiatek has already fashioned a record of 36-4 for the year and her hold on the No.1 ranking among Hologic WTA Tour players is 3,412 points over No.2 Aryna Sabalenka.

With the win Swiatek will push her WTA rankings point total to at least 11,085 when the rankings are updated on Monday, equaling the highest point total or her career. She will become one of only two players to break the 11,000 point mark in the WTA Rankings, along with Serena Williams.

On Thursday she’ll play the winner of the night match between No.3 Coco Gauff and No.7 Zheng Qinwen.