Iga Swiatek’s unbeaten record against Veronika Kudermetova has come to an end after she was knocked out of the Pan Pacific Open by the world No.19.
The four-time Grand Slam champion came into the clash having dropped just 10 games in her four previous meetings against Kudermetova. However, she came undone in Tokyo with the Russian battling to a shock 6-2, 2-6, 6-4, win. It is the 15th time in Kudermetova’s career that she has beaten a top 10 player and the fifth time this season.
“My serve worked really well today,” said Kudermetova. “I’m really happy it was like that. In the last game, I just focused on playing points. I didn’t need to hit aces, I just needed to put the serve in and try to play a rally. I think this was the key.”
“I just tried to believe that I could beat her. I’m really happy that I managed to win one match.” She added.
Throughout the match, Swiatek struggled with her consistency on the court with the Pole hitting a total of 50 unforced errors against only 18 winners. Overall, she was broken twice in the first set and once in the decider. It is the fifth time this season that she has lost to a player outside of the top 10 and it is the second tournament in a row that she has done so after the US Open where she was beaten by Jelena Ostapenko.
Meanwhile, 28-year-old Kudermetova is relishing a resurgence in her form following what has been a tough few weeks on the Tour. Prior to playing in Tokyo, she had failed to win back-to-back matches at six consecutive tournaments.
The sixth seed will next play her doubles partner Anastasia Pavlychenkova in the semi-finals who beat Ekaterina Alexandrova 6-2, 7-5. Pavlychenkova, who is playing in just her third event since the French Open, is a two-time finalist in Tokyo.
“It will be a tough match,” Kudermetova previewed. “She plays really well, we play doubles together and know each other. It will be a very interesting and a very match but I will try to do what I can.”
This week Kudmertova is seeking to win her second WTA title.
