Swiatek reaches Dubai semifinals after Pliskova withdraws, to face winner of Keys vs Gauff

Iga Swiatek won her round of 16 match against Liudmila Samsonova in straight sets on Wednesday, and will now be in action in the semifinals.

Iga Swiatek defeated Liudmila Samsonova 6-1, 6-0 in the round of 16 of the Dubai Championships. | Photo Credit: Getty Images

Top-ranked Iga Swiatek reached the semifinals of the Dubai Championships after she defeated Liudmila Samsonova 6-1, 6-0 on Wednesday and her quarterfinal opponent withdrew from the competition.

The 21-year-old Pole was to face former No. 1 Karolina Pliskova in the last-eight, who advanced by defeating Anhelina Kalinina 7-5, 6-7 (6), 6-2, but the Czech player withdrew from the tournament due to a viral illness.

Karolina Pliskova has withdrawn from the #DDFTennis draw due to a viral illness.

Iga Swiatek advances to the semifinals by walkover and will face the winner of Keys vs. Gauff.

— wta (@WTA) February 22, 2023

Swiatek, a three-time Grand Slam champion, has won her last five matches including the successful defense of her Qatar Open title last week.

“After playing the finals here a few years ago and doing very well this year, it’s very disappointing for me,” tweeted Pliskova.

“But after struggling with a virus and cramps for a couple hours right after my match, I’m not able to continue.”

Madison Keys will face Coco Gauff in an all-American quarterfinal match. Keys beat Victoria Azarenka 6-2, 6-1, and the 18-year-old Gauff advanced after Australian Open runner-up Elena Rybakina withdrew from their scheduled match because of a lower back injury.

-With inputs from AFP