Iga Swiatek is in frightening form at Indian Wells, having soared into yet another semi-final in the desert.
Swiatek was honoured at Indian Wells before this year’s tournament, with the Pole having lifted the trophy last time out.
It represented a second Indian Wells title for Swiatek, who won in 2022 and 2024 with final victories over Maria Sakkari.
Her fellow 2024 champion Carlos Alcaraz was also honoured, with the Spaniard winning the final last year and indeed in 2023, both against Daniil Medvedev.
But his two titles still fall short of the five of Novak Djokovic, who tops the ATP pile with fellow icon Roger Federer.
Iga Swiatek matches Novak Djokovic after reaching Indian Wells semi-finals
Swiatek has, however, managed to emulate the Serbian in another record after her quarter-final victory in California.
The second seed defeated eighth seed Qinwen Zheng 6-3, 6-3, and in the process became the first player since Novak Djokovic in 2011 to drop 12 games or less en route to the Indian Wells semi-finals, as per the tournament’s X account.
Swiatek has added Zheng to her list of victims at the event, having also beaten Caroline Garcia, Dayana Yastremska and Karolina Muchova.
Indian Wells semi-finalist Iga Swiatek makes tennis history
Swiatek can take great confidence from hitting the heights once reached by Djokovic, who this year failed to get going.
The 24-time Grand Slam champion continued his struggles into the desert, losing his opener to Botic van de Zandschulp.
But Alcaraz has well and truly taken over the mantle at the tournament, with Jack Draper now his next challenge.
Second seed Swiatek meanwhile has a tough test against rising star Mirra Andreeva, who has already knocked out Elena Rybakina.
| Round | Opponent | Score |
| Round of 64 | Caroline Garcia | 6-2, 6-0 |
| Round of 32 | Dayana Yastremska | 6-0, 6-2 |
| Round of 16 | Karolina Muchova | 6-1, 6-1 |
| Quarter-finals | Qinwen Zheng | 6-3, 6-3 |
But the Pole has both the experience and perhaps the mental advantage, having just made history at the WTA 1000 event.
As per OptaAce, Swiatek is the first player to reach the Indian Wells women’s singles semi-finals in four successive years since its inauguration in 1989.
It has been a superb tournament so far for the world number two, along with her long-time rival and world number one Aryna Sabalenka.
The Belarusian has now forced a repeat of the Australian Open final, with Sabalenka meeting Madison Keys in the other Indian Wells semi-final.
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