WUHAN, China – Iga Swiatek kept up her push to qualify for the WTA Finals, grinding out a 6-1, 6-4 win over American Ashlyn Krueger to reach the quarter-finals of the Wuhan Open on Thursday. The result also allowed her to capitalise on a loss by Karolina Muchova.
Krueger, who entered the draw as a lucky loser after defeat in qualifying, put pressure on Swiatek for parts of the second set. She committed 44 unforced errors to the Polish player’s 27.
Swiatek and Li set up an all-American clash
Swiatek will face another American in the last eight. Earlier on Thursday, Ann Li eliminated Indonesia’s Janice Tjen 6-1, 7-6 (1).
A title in Wuhan would allow Swiatek to close the gap on Muchova in the Race to the WTA Finals rankings ahead of the season-ending event next month in Indian Wells, California. Swiatek, who has reached the final every year since 2021, is currently 10th in the Race, with the top eight qualifying.
Muchova and Svitolina progress
Wimbledon finalist and sixth seed Muchova lost 7-5, 6-3 to 11th seed Diana Shnaider, who next plays former French Open champion Jelena Ostapenko.
Fifth seed Elina Svitolina broke the serve of Chinese wild card Guo Hanyu in the opening and final games to win 6-1, 6-4 and advance. Guo was coming off a breakout run, which included her first career top-20 win in the first round over Sorana Cirstea, despite being ranked 240th. Svitolina, who lost in the quarter-finals of the China Open last week to eventual champion Zheng Qinwen, next plays Sonay Kartal. The British player stunned Jasmine Paolini 6-2, 6-0 in barely an hour.
Upsets and early exits
Tenth seed and young American Iva Jovic was upset 6-4, 6-1 by Maja Chwalinska.
On Wednesday, top seed Aryna Sabalenka and second seed Jessica Pegula lost their second-round matches. It was a second straight defeat for Sabalenka, who was beaten by Nikola Bartunkova in the third round at the China Open last week. She had received a bye in the opening round at Wuhan.