Iga Swiatek defeats Elise Mertens 7-6(2), 6-1 to reach Miami R16🔥

Iga Swiatek Defeats Elise Mertens to Reach Miami Open Round of 16

World No. 1 Iga Swiatek powered past Belgium’s Elise Mertens 7-6(2), 6-1 to advance to the Round of 16 at the 2024 Miami Open. The victory extends Swiatek’s dominance on hard courts as she continues her bid for a second title in Miami.

The match started with Mertens displaying resilience, pushing Swiatek into a tight first set. The Belgian, known for her solid baseline game, managed to hold serve consistently and forced a tiebreak. However, Swiatek, showing her trademark intensity, raised her level when it mattered most, storming through the tiebreak 7-2.

Once the first set was secured, the three-time French Open champion took full control. Swiatek’s aggressive baseline play and superior movement overwhelmed Mertens, who struggled to keep up with the Pole’s relentless pace. Swiatek raced through the second set in dominant fashion, breaking Mertens multiple times and sealing the victory in one hour and 42 minutes.

With this win, Swiatek improved her head-to-head record against Mertens to 4-1. The top seed remains a heavy favorite in Miami, where she previously lifted the title in 2022. Up next, she will face the winner of the match between Linda Nosková and Yulia Putintseva.

Swiatek’s performance continues to reaffirm her status as the top player on the WTA Tour. If she maintains this form, she could be on course for another deep run in Miami, further cementing her dominance in the women’s game.