Iga Swiatek reached another semi-final after a straight-sets win over Ekaterina Alexandrova at the Bad Homburg Open. 

Swiatek – who is yet to reach a final on grass at any level – edged closer to doing so with a 6-4 7-6 (7-5) victory despite rain stopping play on Thursday. 

The Pole's two early breaks in the opening set proved decisive as she stormed into a 44-minute lead, but Alexandrova offered a strong response in the second. 

Both Alexandrova and Swiatek fended off three break points each before the weather in Germany halted play for almost two hours towards the end of the eighth game. 

There was nothing to separate the two upon their return, with a second-set tie-break deciding whether Swiatek would advance or the match would continue. 

And it was Swiatek who came out on top, with a looping backhand on the stretch returned long by her opponent. 

Swiatek semifinals@iga_swiatek is into her first grass semifinal this season with a win over Alexandrova!#BadHomburgOpen pic.twitter.com/7zH2CD6mjK

— wta (@WTA) June 26, 2025

Swiatek's reward for her victory is a tie against second seed Jasmine Paolini, after she beat Beatriz Haddad Maia earlier in the day. 

Paolini reached her fourth semi-final of 2025 with a 7-5 7-5 victory over the Brazilian in one hour and 35 minutes. 

Data Debrief: Rivalries renewed 

After picking up her 300th Tour-level win in her last match, Swiatek continued her quest for grass-court glory with a fine display in this quarter-final. 

She won 75% (33/44) of her first-serve points while also saving four out of the five break points she faced to set up a tie with Paolini, who she has enjoyed recent matches against. 

Indeed, Swiatek, who has not won a title in over a year, has a perfect record against her semi-final opponent (4-0), though their latest clash will be their first on grass and with Paolini as the higher-ranked player.