(Reuters) – Twice champion Iga Swiatek walloped Czech Karolina Muchova 6-1 6-1 to reach the Indian Wells quarter-finals on Tuesday, continuing her relentless march through the California desert tournament with another lopsided victory.
The Polish former world number one has only dropped six games since arriving at the event and shoved aside Muchova with a near-flawless performance, with just four errors against a dozen winners while never facing a break point.
Swiatek is aiming to become the first woman to win the 1000-level tournament three times, after serving a one-month suspension late last year for a failed drug test.
After waiting through a rain delay, Swiatek took immediate hold of the momentum, sprinting through the first four games and not dropping a first-serve point in the opening set.
Muchova, who enjoyed an inspired run to the U.S. Open semi-final last year after recovering from wrist surgery, was unable to find her level in the second set as the mistakes piled up.
Swiatek closed it out in 57 minutes with an unreturnable serve to set up a meeting with either Olympic champion Zheng Qinwen of China or Ukrainian Marta Kostyuk who meet later.
Rain forced the suspension of play shortly after Swiatek’s win, with Greek Stefanos Tsitsipas and Dane Holger Rune on court.
A match between home hope Tommy Paul and fifth-seeded former U.S. Open winner Daniil Medvedev was set to be a highlight of Tuesday’s evening programme, with American fourth seed Jessica Pegula playing Ukrainian Elina Svitolina in the women’s draw.
(Reporting by Amy Tennery in New York; Editing by Ken Ferris)
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