Iga Swiatek eased past Laura Siegemund 6-3 6-3 to set up a third round match with Ash Barty.
Despite there being some tentative moments, the Pole proved too good for her German opponent as she moved into the last 16 in a straight sets victory.
Next for Swiatek is the world number one Ash Barty after the Australian edged past Tamara Zidansek 6-4 1-6 6-3 in a two hour contest.
After winning her first match 6-1 6-1 against a rusty Alison Riske, Swiatek knew her second match would be a little more competitive against Laura Siegemund who has good pedigree on this surface.
After saving three break points in the opening game, the 19 year-old took her first break opportunity in the second game with some impressive point construction.
However Siegemund once again went 40-0 up on her opponent’s serve after some aggressive groundstrokes and this time took the break point opportunity to get back on serve with a Swiatek double fault.
Swiatek knew though that she would have to suffer and be consistent in the way she approached the match which is exactly what she did as she deconstructed the Siegemund game with some impressive angles as well as some good combinational shots with the slice.
Although the German had her moments, she wasn’t consistent enough to trouble the 14th seed as Swiatek held on to take the opening set 6-3.
In the second set, Swiatek continued her confident play with some nice variey mixed with power as she wasn’t afraid to show her aggressive side.
It was the Pole’s defensive skills which ultimately put her in the driving seat as she established a double break lead for 3-0.
Suddenly after that though the German upped her game and made the 14th seed uncomfortable as her tentative play cost her three games in a row. Siegemund’s experience and willingness to never give up was her gain as she levelled the match at 3-3.
Eventually though Swiatek’s consistency in defence and attack was too much as three games and eleven match points later she sealed victory as well as a place in the last 16.
Next for Swiatek is a mouth-watering clash with the world number one Ash Barty after the Australian defeated Tamara Zidansek 6-4 1-6 6-3.
The Australian had to dig deep to find a way to win in an enduring contest that lasted two hours.
After the match Barty admitted it was a tough match, “Yeah it was a really tough match right from the get-go, I did a pretty good job in the first set of nullifying a few break points,” the world number one said.
“Overtime I worked my way into her service games, but overall a really tough match today. I felt my margins were a little bit off today and I made a lot of errors even if I was missing in the right way. I felt there was too many loose ones for me today.”
The meeting between Barty and Swiatek will be the first time they would have played each other.
