Iga Swiatek
Romanian veteran Sorana Cirstea will have her task cut out when she faces top-seed Iga Swiatek in the quarterfinals of the 2023 Indian Wells on Thursday.
The 21-year-old has reached her third consecutive quarterfinal in 2023. She has not dropped a set so far in the competition. Swiatek began her campaign with a one-sided 6-0, 6-1 win against Emma Raducanu. In the round of 32, the Polish star beat Bianca Andreescu 6-3, 7-6 (7-1). Swiatek converted 5 out of 8 break points in the match.
In the round of 16, Swiatek outplayed 2021 US Open champion Emma Raducanu, winning in straight sets 6-3, 6-1. Swiatek had a win percentage of 88 on the first serve. Raducanu failed to break Swiatek’s serve throughout the match.
The experienced campaigner has played some fine tennis in the tournament and reached her first quarterfinal in 2023. In the round of 128, Cirstea eased past Kimberly Birrell, winning the match 6-3, 6-2. The Romanian star followed it up with a comprehensive 6-1 win against Madison Keys in the first set. Keys retired prior to the second set as Cirstea advanced. The 32-year-old made light work of Bernarda Pera in the round of 32. Cirstea won the match 6-3, 6-1 with a win percentage of 86 on the first serve. She converted 5 out of 5 break points.
In the round of 16, Cirstea shocked 5th seed, Caroline Garcia. The intriguing contest ended 6-4, 4-6, 7-5 in favor of Cirstea. She will have to use all her experience to give Swiatek a run for her money.
Iga Swiatek has a 1-0 lead in the head-to-head scoreline against Sorana Cirstea. The Polish youngster defeated Cirstea 5-7, 6-3, 6-3 in their only previous meeting in the 2022 Australian Open.
Prediction: Iga Swiatek to win in straight sets.
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