The top half of the WTA draw played quarterfinal matches Wednesday in Indian Wells and neither match lasted a full hour. Former champion Simona Halep [24] dismantled Petra Martic 6-1 6-1 in 54 minutes. Iga Swiatek [3] defeated Madison Keys [25] 6-1 6-1 in under 57 minutes.
Halep faced three break points from Martic and saved all of them. She told reporters after, “I think probably the best match of this year. I felt super well. I felt confident. I’ve been aggressive. Everything I had to do I did, and it was pretty good […] I felt since I stepped on the court that I’m feeling good. I have confidence in my game. I knew how to play against her because we played a few times.”
In her short match, Swiatek only faced one break point, which she saved. She won five of the seven she had against Keys. The Pole described her experience similar to Halep, telling press, “I think it was a great performance from me. I think it was my best match here. For sure it was a little bit easier to find my rhythm when it was a little bit colder. That was on my advantage. I think I just was really focused and consistent.”
Swiatek will face Halep in the semifinal on Friday. Halep leads the head-to-head 2:1.
