Iga Swiatek makes Madrid Open quarter-finals with three-set win over Diana Shnaider, after ‘relaxed’ day off amid power cut drama

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Iga Swiatek was below her best as she needed three sets to see off Diana Shnaider in Madrid, the world No. 2 eventually winning 6-0 6-7(3) 6-4 in just over two and a half hours. The Polish player was one of many to have their matches postponed yesterday after the city-wide power outage, but Swiatek used the delay to her advantage as she admits to enjoying the lack of electricity.

Candles in the dark - How power outage impacted Madrid Open

Video credit: SNTV

Defending champion Iga Swiatek is into the Madrid Open quarter-finals after beating Diana Shnaider in three sets.

After breezing through the opening set, the world No. 2 was made to work much harder in the second and third, but she did eventually win in just over two and a half hours.

It was the first meeting between the pair, and certainly based on how well Shnaider played in the second set, the duo could be in for a good rivalry.

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The match was originally scheduled for yesterday - before the nationwide power outage saw the vast majority of matches in Madrid cancelled or suspended.

"I liked yesterday, I think the whole world was more relaxed, kinda," Swiatek joked after the match.

"But yeah, I had time to rest so I really used that. Today was a tricky day so I’m happy I’m through as Diana played well.

"It’s good that in Madrid the sun is setting pretty late, as soon as it got dark they got the [electricity] back in my area. I just chilled, no one used their phones, it was nice, I liked it."

Swiatek flew through the opening set, the world No. 2 having a 4-0 lead in just 16 minutes before sealing the bagel in 22 minutes, winning 24 of the 31 points played.

But Shnaider fought back well, breaking Swiatek’s opening service game in the second set as she refused to be overawed in their first meeting.

While Swiatek broke back, the set remained tight and went all the way to a breaker - which Shnaider took, holding her nerve in the tie-break as Swiatek’s unforced error count grew.

With the set lasting well over an hour, it left the defending champion up against it as the wind started to pick up in Madrid and the momentum was very much with her opponent.

But Swiatek managed to pick up her level, cut out the errors and finally broke Shnaider in the fifth game of the decider, that break enough to take her to a 6-0 6-7(3) 6-4 win.

"When it’s getting hotter you need to control the ball a bit more, but I’m through to the quarters so I adjusted and I’m happy that I’m going to have another chance to play here," Swiatek concluded.

She will play the winner of Madison Keys or Donna Vekic in the quarter-finals, with Swiatek still searching for a first title in 2025, having not lifted a trophy since she won Roland Garros last season.

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