Iga Swiatek has continued her nightmare record against top 10 opponents after losing to Elina Svitolina at Indian Wells.
Currently ninth in the WTA rankings, Svitolina defeated world number two Swiatek 6-2, 4-6, 6-4 in the quarterfinals in California.
The pair played the longest of the four quarterfinals at Indian Wells, battling it out for two hours and nine minutes.
And it was Svitolina who emerged victorious, earning herself a semifinal clash with Elena Rybakina at the WTA 1000 tournament.
Where do you think she will be ranked?
Iga Swiatek continues nightmare run vs top 10 players
While Svitolina now has the chance to play in another final, Swiatek has just suffered unwanted career history.
The Pole has now lost five consecutive matches against top 10 opponents for the first time in her entire career, as per OptaAce.
It is a disastrous run that started back at the 2025 WTA Finals, where she lost to both Rybakina and Amanda Anisimova.
| Tournament | Opponent | Rank | Score |
| 2025 WTA Finals | Elena Rybakina | 6 | 6-3, 1-6, 0-6 |
| 2025 WTA Finals | Amanda Anisimova | 4 | 7-6(7-3), 4-6, 2-6 |
| 2026 United Cup | Coco Gauff | 4 | 4-6, 2-6 |
| 2026 Australian Open | Elena Rybakina | 5 | 5-7, 1-6 |
| 2026 Indian Wells | Elina Svitolina | 9 | 2-6, 6-4, 4-6 |
Swiatek has already achieved stunning success in her fantastic career so far, but her form against the very best players is definitely a worry.
In the other semifinal match at Indian Wells, world number one Aryna Sabalenka will play against Linda Noskova.
Should there be a fifth Grand Slam?
If so, which tournament would it be?
Iga Swiatek suffers her worst start to a WTA season
Unfortunately for Swiatek, there is another reason for concern, with the Pole now experiencing her worst start to a season since 2019, her first on the WTA Tour.
Her 12-5 win-loss record equates to 71%, her lowest figure prior to the Miami Open since her total of 63% in 2019.
- 2026: 12-5 (71%)
- 2025: 18-5 (78%)
- 2024: 21-2 (91%)
- 2023: 16-4 (80%)
- 2022: 20-3 (87%)
- 2021: 10-3 (77%)
- 2020: 7-2 (78%)
- 2019: 10-6 (63%)
Six-time Grand Slam champion Swiatek has taken on three tournaments so far this season, and has suffered quarterfinal exits at all three.
Her Indian Wells defeat to Svitolina follows losses to Maria Sakkari and Rybakina at the Qatar Open and Australian Open respectively.
There is definitely no need for major panic in these early stages of 2026, but the two unwanted records certainly do not bode well for the Pole.
She does, however, have a fine chance of redemption at the Miami Open, which arrives immediately after Indian Wells.
Swiatek should be both fresh and motivated after her relatively early exit in California, and will have positive memories of Miami after lifting the trophy there in 2022.
Receive exclusive tennis news and updates twice a week to your mailbox
