The last time Iga Swiatek played Anastasia Potapova, the result was as straightforward as it gets: a 40-minute 6-0, 6-0 whitewash in the 2024 Roland Garros fourth round.
In the rematch in the Cincinnati Open second round, Potapova was able to make more of an impact — but the end result was the same, a 6-1, 6-4 victory for No. 3 seed Swiatek in 1 hour and 13 minutes.
Cincinnati: Scores | Draws | Order of play
Swiatek needed just 26 minutes to speed through a one-sided first set, but was pushed harder in the second as errors began to creep into her game. However, she was clutch when she needed to be, saving all five break points she faced — including three as she served for the match. The Wimbledon champion will next face No. 25 seed Marta Kostyuk, who delivered a ruthless 51-minute 6-0, 6-1 rout of Tatjana Maria. Swiatek had yet to drop a set to Kostyuk in four previous meetings.
More to come…