In their recent match at the Mutua Madrid Open on Saturday, World No. 2 Iga Swiatek managed to navigate her often-challenging rivalry with Linda Noskova, securing a relatively straightforward victory.
The reigning champion, Poland`s Swiatek, overcame the Czech Republic`s 31st seed Noskova with a score of 6-4, 6-2. This win marked her eighth consecutive victory in Madrid, advancing her to the Round of 16. Swiatek, who was also a finalist in 2023, now boasts a 15-2 record at this event.
Past Encounters: Swiatek`s initial matches in Madrid presented challenges from young, up-and-coming players who have troubled her previously. Following her first-round bye, she had to recover from losing the first set to defeat 19-year-old Alexandra Eala from the Philippines, the player who eliminated her at the Miami Open just last month.
This victory set up another encounter with 20-year-old Linda Noskova, who had previously defeated Swiatek at the 2024 Australian Open, where Noskova reached her first Grand Slam quarterfinal.
While Swiatek had won their three previous WTA main-draw matches, these victories were hard-fought. Their last two meetings at WTA events in Miami and Doha (both 2024) required Swiatek to edge out Noskova in grueling two-and-a-half-hour contests, both ending with a tight 6-7, 6-4, 6-4 scoreline in Swiatek`s favor.
What made the difference in Madrid? This match was their first encounter on clay. Swiatek boasts a formidable record on this surface in WTA 1000 main draws, winning nearly 90% of her matches (35-4 after this win). Although Noskova kept the first set competitive until the very end, Swiatek clinched the crucial points to secure the set and then proceeded more easily to victory.
Match Highlights: On Saturday, Noskova utilized the potent groundstrokes that have often posed problems for Swiatek in their previous encounters. Even after Swiatek landed deep returns to secure a break for a 4-3 lead, she still needed to save a break point in the subsequent game to consolidate her advantage.
Serving for the set at 5-3, Swiatek recovered from a 0-30 deficit to reach set points. Noskova fought back, hitting powerful backhand winners on Swiatek`s first two chances. However, Swiatek capitalized on her third opportunity, forcing an error from Noskova to claim the hard-fought first set.
After Swiatek broke Noskova in the first game of the second set, the match became significantly less demanding than their previous lengthy battles. Swiatek faced little resistance thereafter, completing the victory in just 1 hour and 17 minutes. Notably, she was perfect on break points, converting all four opportunities.
Next Challenge: In the Round of 16, Swiatek is set to play 13th seed Diana Shnaider, who has been dominant this week. Following her first-round bye, Shnaider defeated Katie Volynets 6-1, 6-2, and then secured a decisive 6-0, 6-0 victory against Anastasija Sevastova.
This upcoming match will be the first career meeting between Swiatek and the 21-year-old left-handed Shnaider.
Jasper Hawthorne 
Dominic Ashworth