Swiatek makes light work of Noskova to continue Madrid title defence
Iga Swiatek dispatched Linda Noskova in straight sets to book her place in the last 16 of the Madrid Open.
Reigning champion Swiatek reeled off her eighth straight win at the tournament with little fuss on Saturday, triumphing 6-4 6-2.
Swiatek, who also reached the final in 2023, previously lost to Noskova at the 2024 Australian Open, and then had to battle through tight contests in their three meetings since then.
Yet there was no such trouble for the world number two this time around.
She served four aces, did not commit a double-fault and saved three of the four break points she faced while converting all four of the ones she forced.
Her reward is a tie against Diana Shnaider.
It will represent Swiatek's first meeting with Shnaider, who has been in excellent form, having overcome Katie Volynets in straight sets before defeating Anastasija Sevastova 6-0 6-0.
15 - Iga Swiatek has registered 15 wins in Women’s Singles at the Madrid Open from 17 matches, equalling Serena Williams for the fewest matches to 15 wins at this event since the inception of the tournament. Triumph. #MMOpen | @MutuaMadridOpen @WTA @WTA_insider pic.twitter.com/HilKuIsiMR
— OptaAce (@OptaAce) April 26, 2025
Data Debrief: The Queen of clay
It has not been the best of seasons for Swiatek, who is yet to win a title in 2025.
Yet she is at home on the clay courts, and owns the highest win percentage (89.7%) on the surface when it comes to WTA 1000 events.
Swiatek has also now registered 15 wins from her 17 matches at the Madrid Open, equalling the great Serena Williams for the fewest matches taken to reach 15 wins at the event.