Top-ranked Iga Swiatek advances to San Diego Open final

SAN DIEGO (AP) — Prime-ranked Iga Swiatek of Poland rallied to beat fourth-seeded Jessica Pegula on Saturday to achieve the San Diego Open remaining.

Within the different semifinal, qualifier Donna Vekic of Croatia and unseeded American Danielle Collins have been tied 2-2 within the third set when the match was delayed by rain. Vekic took the primary set and Collins the second, each 6-4.

The 2-hour Swiatek-Pegula match featured quite a few tight rallies, however Swiatek’s repertoire of side-to-side groundstrokes, lobs and drop pictures proved Pegula’s downfall.

“I knew I had the sport to win this match, however I simply misplaced my focus in the course of the (first) set,” mentioned Swiatek, 21, the reigning U.S. Open and French Open champion. “I didn’t need to make that mistake once more.”

Nearly instantly after the primary set ended, a lightweight rain started to fall, inflicting a 65-minute delay.

“I’m from Europe, so I’m used to moist climate,” mentioned Swiatek, who gained her ninth WTA remaining of 2022. “With the heavier balls, it was laborious for me to play with extra topspin. I managed to alter it up, so I’m comfortable about that.”

After Swiatek broke Pegula’s serve for a 4-2 third-set edge, she received the ultimate two video games, the successful level approaching a Pegula forehand that landed close to the underside of the online.

“I didn’t assume there was that a lot of a distinction between us,” mentioned Pegula, “however she’s No. 1 for a purpose and she or he’s at all times irritating to play.”