Iga Swiatek’s first words after reaching the Cincinnati Open semifinals with win over Anna Kalinskaya

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Iga Swiatek continues to impress on the WTA Tour as she searches for her maiden Cincinnati Open title.

The Polish star suffered a shock early exit last time out in Montreal when Swiatek lost to Clara Tauson in the fourth round, but immediately bounced back in Cincinnati.

Taking down Anastasia Potapova, Marta Kostyuk (walkover), and Sorana Cirstea, Swiatek advanced to her third consecutive Cincinnati Open quarterfinal.

There, she met Ukraine’s Anna Kalinskaya, who won their only previous meeting at the 2024 Dubai Tennis Championships.

Getting her revenge in style, Swiatek defeated Kalinskaya in straight sets, 6-3, 6-4, to book her place in the last four.

During her post-match interview, Swiatek offered up her immediate reaction to the win.

Iga Swiatek was happy with her ‘intensity’ during quarterfinal win in Cincinnati

Speaking on court after the match, Swiatek compared her performance in Cincinnati to her defeat to Kalinskaya in Dubai.

“For sure, the match was much different [from last year], I’m really happy that I was proactive from the very beginning, I could play my game,” she said.

“It wasn’t easy, so I’m happy that I was solid and that I had enough intensity to put on the pressure.”

The world number three was then asked about the sweltering conditions in Cincinnati and how she prepares to compete in the heat.

“There’s no secret, I just drink… water,” said Swiatek.

“Honestly, we kind of need to get used to it with how the world is changing; it’s going to get worse and worse, I guess.”

Former top 50 ATP player Ryan Harrison was impressed with Swiatek’s efforts on Centre Court, although he admitted she wasn’t perfect.

“It wasn’t flawless, but it was extremely professional, she did the things she needed to do,” he said.

“She kept [Anna] Kalinskaya moving around when there were some signs of fatigue, she kept her mind in the right spot, it was tough to tell exactly what was going on on the other side of the net, Kalinskaya did a really good job of hanging in there, you could tell she wasn’t feeling 100% with her shoulder and her left leg.

“But Iga [Swiatek] hung in there, continued to keep her nose out in front throughout the match, even when she gave that break back in the second set, she quickly got back in front.

“Her serve was dominant in this match.”

Swiatek’s serve was indeed dominant, winning 83% of her points behind the first serve, to Kalinskaya’s 62%.

Getting the job done against Kalinskaya, Swiatek will now prepare to take on the winner of Aryna Sabalenka and Elena Rybakina’s quarterfinal match.

Iga Swiatek’s head-to-head record against Aryna Sabalenka and Elena Rybakina

For some time, Swiatek, Sabalenka, and Rybakina were described as the ‘big three’ in the women’s game, as they looked a class above their rivals on the WTA Tour.

The rapid rise of Coco Gauff and the inconsistent form of Rybakina put an end to those discussions, although it’s still fair to say the trio are some of the best the women’s game has to offer.

Fans will no doubt look forward to Swiatek’s semifinal match regardless of who she plays, but against which player does she have the better record?

Iga Swiatek and Elena Rybakina’s head-to-head record

Swiatek and Rybakina have played each other nine times on the WTA Tour, with the Pole edging their rivalry 5-4.

Iga Swiatek and Aryna Sabalenka’s head-to-head record

Swiatek also has the head-to-head lead over Sabalenka, 8-5, but has lost her last two meetings with the Belarusian.

One of those meetings was in the semifinals of last year’s Cincinnati Open, where Sabalenka breezed past her rival in straight sets, 6-3, 6-3.

Swiatek will certainly hope to avoid a repeat of that result should they face off for a 14th time in the semis of the 2025 tournament.

For now, the 24-year-old will have to wait and see who she will play, as Sabalenka and Rybakina battle it out for a chance to meet Swiatek in the last four.