Kudermetova stuns Iga Swiatek in Tokyo to reach the semi-finals

Veronika Kudermetova edged out Iga Swiatek 6-2, 2-6, 6-4 and will face Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova in the next round

Iga Swiatek, Tokyo 2023 – © Aflo / Panoramic

Jamie Malachy

September 29, 2023

Toray Pan Pacific Open Tennis •Quarter-final • completed

See draw

I. SwiatekvsV. Kudermetova

In a major upset on the WTA Tour this week, Veronika Kudermetova edged out Iga Swiatek 6-2, 2-6, 6-4 to reach the semi-finals of the Toray Pan Pacific Open Tennis Tournament in Tokyo.

It is the Russian’s first win over the top-seeded Pole in five attempts, having lost heavily in all four of their previous encounters without winning a set.

In the last six sets that the pair had played prior to this match, Swiatek only dropped a combined total of four games, including a 6-0, 6-1 win in Doha this year, followed by a 6-1, 6-1 victory in Madrid.

However, it was a different Kudermetova who turned up in Tokyo for their fifth encounter, with the Russian racing into a 4-0 lead courtesy of a sluggish start to the match from the World No 2, in which she hit 20 unforced errors in the opening set.

Kudermetova, meanwhile, was striking the ball cleanly and precisely, committing only nine unforced errors as she allowed her opponent’s misfiring groundstrokes to build up a healthy 5-2 lead before serving out the set.

The Pole hit back in trademark fashion in the second stanza, upping her aggression while keeping a tighter lid on the error count to win it 6-2 and gain parity with the World No 19.

Kudermetova earns first win over Swiatek in five attempts

But Kudermetova’s resolve was iron-clad. Instead of wilting to the renewed pressure coming down on her from the other end of the court, the Russian held her nerve, not allowing Swiatek out of a lengthy service game in the fourth game of the decider.

With a break lead in the final set, Kudermetova served efficiently to keep the Pole at bay and earn a milestone win over an opponent she had previously struggled to even contend with.

In the previous round, Swiatek, ranked No 2, won against Japanese qualifier Mai Hontama (6-4, 7-5) in what is her first tournament appearance since losing to Ostapenko in the US Open at the beginning of this month.

Ostapenko Swiatek US Open 2023 (John Minchillo/AP/SIPA) — Swiatek was knocked out of the US Open in the fourth round by Jelena Ostapenko

This result will do little to quell the difficult memories in New York, with the former World No 1 hitting a hugely uncharacteristic 50 unforced errors over the course of the match. She has a week now to prepare for the final Masters 1000 tournament of the season in Beijing, as she attempts to track down the tour-leader Aryna Sabalenka in the rankings race.

Kudermetova, meanwhile, will face fellow Russian Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova next in an all-Russian semi-final.

Seeded eighth in Japan, Kudermetova has put together a highly impressive week of tennis, defeating qualifier Harriet Dart (6-3, 7-6 (4)) and American Kayla Day (6-3, 6-3) ahead of her victory over Swiatek.

“I tried to just believe that I can beat her. Today it happened. I’m really happy that I managed to switch [the head-to-head] and win one match.

“In the last game, I just focused on playing the point,” Kudermetova added.

“I don’t need to hit aces. I think that was the key. I was ready to play the rally, not just finish with the serve.”

Maria Sakkari, recent Guadalajara Open champion, will face Jessica Pegula in the other last four match as the Asian hard-court swing gathers pace and momentum.