In the sun-drenched courts of Miami, Iga Swiatek continues to carve out a legacy that’s as dazzling as it is formidable. On March 24, 2025, the 23-year-old Polish tennis sensation added another chapter to her remarkable story, battling past Ukraine’s Elina Svitolina in a gripping fourth-round match at the Miami Open. The final score—7-6(5), 6-3—doesn’t fully capture the intensity of the duel, but it does underscore Swiatek’s unrelenting prowess against some of the toughest opponents in the game. With this victory, she bolstered an already jaw-dropping statistic: since the WTA 1000 format debuted in 2009, Swiatek holds the best win rate against former champions of these elite tournaments, now standing at an astonishing 78.7% with a 37-10 record.
The match itself was a rollercoaster, a showcase of Swiatek’s ability to thrive under pressure. Svitolina, a former world No. 3 and a seasoned competitor with her own WTA 1000 title under her belt, came out swinging. The first set was a tug-of-war, with both players trading blows from the baseline. Swiatek snatched three breaks of serve, only for Svitolina to claw her way back each time, forcing a tiebreak. There, Swiatek’s nerve held firm, her forehand cracking winners as she edged it 7-5. The second set saw her surge to a 4-1 lead, but Svitolina, ever resilient, narrowed the gap to 4-3. Yet, Swiatek’s focus never wavered—she closed it out 6-3, her aggression and precision proving too much for her opponent. “We had some tight moments,” she reflected afterward, “and I was able to play well through them. I’m pretty proud and looking forward to the next one.”
This win wasn’t just another notch on her racket—it elevated her to new heights in the annals of tennis history. At 37 victories against WTA 1000 champions, she now trails only Victoria Azarenka, who boasts 41 such wins. Tied with Petra Kvitova at 37, Swiatek is closing in fast, her youth and hunger suggesting she might soon claim that record for herself. What’s more, this triumph marked her second Miami Open quarterfinal appearance and her 11th win in her last 12 matches at the tournament, a testament to her love affair with the Hard Rock Stadium courts. “I love playing here,” she said, her voice carrying a blend of exhaustion and joy. “I missed playing here in 2023, so I want to enjoy every day here and not take it for granted.”
Swiatek’s journey through the 2025 Miami Open has been a tale of resilience. Earlier in the tournament, she dispatched Caroline Garcia and Elise Mertens, each match a step toward reclaiming her 2022 title. Against Svitolina, she faced a player who’d beaten her once before—at Wimbledon in 2023—but Swiatek now leads their head-to-head 3-1, a stat that speaks to her growth. Off the court, she’s navigated challenges too, including a recent heckling incident during practice that briefly rattled her camp. Yet, on the court, she’s been unflappable, her 21-3 record this season the best on the WTA Tour.
As she prepares to face 19-year-old wildcard Alexandra Eala in the quarterfinals, Swiatek’s dominance against WTA 1000 champions looms large. Eala, fresh off a walkover against Paula Badosa, will be stepping into uncharted territory against a player who’s made a habit of toppling giants. For Swiatek, it’s another chance to showcase why she’s not just a champion, but a record-breaker—one who’s rewriting the script of what’s possible in women’s tennis, one fierce forehand at a time.
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