Iga Swiatek’s remarkable Wimbledon run continues, with Clara Tauson the latest victim in her conquest to the quarter-finals.
The former world number one was in inspired form, and despite a tough opening set, never really looked threatened by her opponent.
That was, despite a shaky opening service game laden with double faults.
Iga Swiatek overcame that and other troubles, whilst Tauson was seemingly enduring some issues of her own.
She spoke about this in her on-court chat.
Iga Swiatek shows concern for Clara Tauson
Speaking to Annabel Croft, Swiatek immediately voiced her concern for Tauson in her post-match interview.
She claimed: ‘Yeah, you know, even though the beginning was pretty shaky, with the double faults, I managed to, yeah, play well and solid.
‘I’m not sure if Clara felt well. She said at the net she was sick, so hopefully, you know, she’s gonna have a good recovery, a fast one.
‘But overall, you know, it’s never easy to keep your focus, you know. I also sometimes felt when I wasn’t feeling well, that I just, you know, let go of everything, and sometimes it gives you like, I don’t know, a boost, so I just try to be ready for anything, but, yeah. I don’t know, I just hope she’s gonna be fine.’
Then, rating her tournament thus far, the 23-year-old admitted: ‘Yeah, honestly, it’s pretty amazing, you know. It’s the first time I really enjoyed London – I mean, sorry, guys, I always loved it. Sorry.
‘Uh, I don’t know, we’re tennis players, so we kind of feel well off the court when we feel good on the court. So this year, for sure, I feel like I can just play my game and hopefully it’s going to last as long as possible, and I’ll just keep working.’
There was not quite so much respect in her previous match, with Danielle Collins giving her brutally honest opinion on Swiatek after losing.
Iga Swiatek previews her Wimbledon quarter-final vs Liudmila Samsonova
Later on in that same interview, Swiatek sought to preview her next opponent, Liudmila Samsonova.
Her summation was short, but she seemed acutely aware of the threat she poses: ’Well, uh, she’s a really solid player, you know. Even from both sides.
‘And we played many matches. We played three-setters as well. I remember it wasn’t easy, and I know that she can play well on fast surfaces, so you know, I’ll prepare tactically because I haven’t been watching any matches, so I’ll just trust what my coach says, you know, I’ll get ready tactically and just focus on myself and I’ll be ready.’
Swiatek has never lost a match to Samsonova, having won their last four meetings whilst dropping just a single set.
It will be interesting to see how their match-up translates to grass now that the former Wimbledon junior champion has finally found her feet on this surface once again.
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