Iga Sviatek continued her run through the Australian Open draw with a quarter-final win over Emma Navarro despite controversy surrounding the double jump.
Leh’s 6-1 6-2 victory means he has missed just 14 games in five matches so far. including a 6-1 6-0 win over Emma Radukanu in the third round – a feat bettered by only Maria Sharapova, Monica Seles and Steffi Graf in the current format.
But there was controversy after umpire Eva Asderaki-Moore missed a double-break at a crucial moment in the fifth game of the second set.
Sviatek was under pressure for the first time but won the game despite not getting the short ball in time.Navarro protested but was denied the video as he continued to play the point.
The American eighth seed did not win another match, and Sviatek reached the semi-finals for the second time in Melbourne, where he will meet. Madison Keys.
The five-time Grand Slam champion entered the clash with Navarro, spending just 4 hours 30 minutes on court, compared to 10 hours 14 minutes for her opponent, who had gone through three-set battles in each of their previous meetings.
It didn’t take long for Sviatek to take control and the number two will be a strong favorite to reach his first Australian Open final.
Keys has also matched her best finish here, reaching the semifinals for the first time a decade ago.
The American made it 10 straight wins to start the season, coming from a set down to beat Elina Svitolina 3-6 6-3 6-4.
Svitolina’s steady play took her to the opening set, but Keys combined for 37 winners in sets two and three as she imposed her power play.
“It’s a great feeling,” said the 29-year-old, whose best Grand Slam run was the US Open final in 2017. “I’m really, really proud of myself to be in another semi-final here and I’m hoping and looking.” : looking forward to see if I can go one step further.”
“I just had to start playing a little more aggressive and try to get to the net a little quicker,” continued Keys, who reached the last four in 2015 and 2022.
“He was controlling a lot of points and making me run, so I felt I had to try and get the lead a bit quicker and luckily I was able to do that.
“I think I definitely played a little smarter. Probably a little less fearless.”
Navarro is calling for a change in the rules
Navarro called for a rule change after a controversial moment in his quarterfinal loss to Swiatek.
Navarro did not blame Sviatek for the double jump, but the moment renewed the debate over the use of video reviews in tennis.
The use of replays was first introduced at the 2023 US Open and the American believes the rule should be changed to allow a review at the end of a point.
“I think that the rules should be different, I think that we should be able to look and decide later,” said the American woman during her press conference.
“We should be allowed to see after the point, even if you’re playing. It happened so fast. You hit the shot, and you’re just saying, “Oh, I guess I’m playing.” In the back of your head, you say, “Okay, maybe I can still win the point,” even though it’s not called.
“It will be a downer if I stop the point and it turns out it wasn’t a double bounce. I think we should be able to see it later and make that call.”
When Navarro saw a replay on video during the next change at Rod Laver Arena, Navarro asked official Eva Asderaki-Moore. “Did you see that?”
“After the point, I asked him if I could see a replay,” Navarro said, “and he said I played it, so I can’t see it.”
Navarro was not bitter about Sviatek, saying: “It’s at this point. I don’t know if the ref has to make the call. It’s a tough call. I think we should be different.” we should be able to look back and decide.”
Sviatek. I didn’t see the replay
Sviatek pleaded ignorance about the double jump call
Sviatek pleaded ignorance, saying: “I didn’t see the replay because after the point I didn’t look at the screens because I wanted to stay focused and I didn’t want this point to stay in my head for a while. longer period.
“I wasn’t sure if it was a double jump or if I was hitting with my frame. It was hard to tell because I was doing a full sprint. I don’t even remember seeing the point of contact.
“I thought it was the referee’s job. I was waiting for VAR too, but I didn’t see it, so I kind of carried on.”
Sviatek rejected Navarro’s call for a rule change, likening the system to line call challenges.
“It’s the first time something like this has happened to me, so I’m not sure,” he said tennis would use it.”
Sviatek awaits a “difficult” semi-final against Keys
Sviatek, who has a 4-1 career record against the Keys, said of the semifinal game. “Madison is a great player and really experienced, so you never know. That match I lost, he kind of killed me, so I think it could be difficult.”
While rarely concerned with defense, patience or even much of a Plan B, Keys said he would be wary of being too aggressive against Sviatek.
“The biggest thing that makes him so hard to beat is because he moves so well, if you miss your spot a little bit, he has plenty of time to recover and then the point goes back to neutral,” said he
“So there’s that balance of just being aggressive and making him move and go after things, but not pushing too hard and not going too fast on anything.
“That’s why I think he does such a good job of getting people to start going a little too fast.”
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