Western & Southern Open: Swiatek races past Kostyuk to book spot in last eight

Iga Swiatek sailed into the last eight of the Western & Southern Open by defeating Ukrainian Marta Kostyuk, the No 15 seed, 6-2, 6-2 at the Lindner Family Tennis Centre in Cincinnati.

The top seed and world No 1 was in fine form, cruising past Kostyuk for the loss of just four games as the Ukrainian struggled cope with Swiatek’s extreme spin and pace in the Cincinnati heat.

The Pole converted five of the twelve break points she generated, with Kostyuk could only muster a single break against a serve that became increasingly impenetrable as the match wore on.

Swiatek has never won Cincinnati, and she looks to build much-needed momentum on hard courts after a quick turnaround from the Paris Olympics, played on clay.

Before the tournament, she said that her expectations were low. But judging from this performance, Swiatek is a clear title-contender once again. In order to win the 1000-level tournament, however, she will need to get past either precocious young Russian Mirra Andreeva or the hugely in-form Jasmine Paolini, the No 5 seed, next.

The Pole won against French qualifier Varvara Gracheva (6-0, 6-7 (8), 6-2) in the previous round of the Cincy Open.

Earlier in the tournament, Kostyuk, ranked No 21, edged out Belgian Elise Mertens (6-4, 2-6, 6-4) and beat New Zealander qualifier Lulu Sun (6-3, 7-5).

Cincinnati WTA 1000, other last-16 results (Lindner Family Tennis Center, hard, USD 3.211.715, most recent results first):

• Diana Shnaider vs. Leylah Fernandez
• Paula Badosa vs. Yulia Putintseva
• Aryna Sabalenka vs. Elina Svitolina
• Mirra Andreeva vs. Jasmine Paolini
• Liudmila Samsonova vs. Elina Avanesyan: friday