Iga Swiatek continued her quest for a first title of 2025 at the Miami Open with a victory over Elise Mertens in the third round.
The second seed was put through her paces during the first half of the match before storming to a 7-6(2), 6-1, win over her 29-year-old opponent. The triumph is Swiatek’s 20th win of the season with 18 of those being in straight-sets. Furthermore, she has improved her record against players outside the WTA top 20 to 26 wins against one loss (to Jelena Ostapenko in Doha) since last year’s Olympic Games.
Against Mertens, Swiatek hit a total of 27 winners and broke her five times. She now leads the Belgian 2-0 in their head-to-head. Their first meeting was last year in Stuttgart.
“I’m happy that I kept my focus,” Swiatek said during her on-court interview.
“I knew in the first set my serve wasn’t working perfectly but I’m glad that I was patient enough to just work for it. And in the second set, I felt much better.”
Despite her straight-sets victory, the Pole was sternly tested throughout a roller-coaster opening set where she failed to capitalize on a break lead twice. However, she regained her momentum in the tiebreaker which she ended by winning six out of the last seven points played.
Continuing to weather the storm, Swiatek surged through the second set with the help of a four-game winning streak during which she produced only four unforced errors. Storming towards the finish line, a Mertens forehand error gifted her match point which she converted with the help of another mistake from the world No.28.
“I love playing here,” the 2022 Miami champion commented.
“I missed playing here in 2023 (due to a rib injury). So I want to enjoy every day here and not take it for granted.
“I’m ready to work hard to stay as long as possible. Today’s match was nice because we had some tight moments as well. I was able to play well through them.
“I’m pretty proud and looking forward to the next one.”
Awaiting Swiatek in the next round will be Elina Svitolina, who defeated Karolina Muchova 6-2, 3-6, 6-2. Svitolina, who reached the quarter-finals of the Australian Open in January, has beaten five top 20 players so far this year.
“For me I feel like I have nothing to lose (agsinst Swiatek) and only things to gain,” she told The Tennis Channel after beating Muchova.
“I’ll try to recover because we are playing tomorrow. I’ll just try to be there with my game plan and talk with my coach.
“She has a big game. She’s a big champion and knows how to win. It will take a lot from me to beat her, but I’m ready for that.”
Swiatek leads the Ukrainian 2-1 in their head-to-head.
