Indian Wells WTA 1000: Scintillating Swiatek dismantles Muchova to breeze into last eight

Iga Swiatek, the second seed, moved into the last eight of the Indian Wells WTA 1000 by sweeping past No 15 seed Karolina Muchova, defeating the Czech 6-1, 6-1.

The world No 2 and defending champion was in typically scintillating form in the Californian desert, once again establishing her authority in a tournament that lends itself so well to her topspin-heavy game.

Swiatek was in full-flight from the first ball to the last, smothering Muchova’s usually effective variety with sheer power and devilish topspin.

The Pole’s first-serve win percentage was at a lofty 88% throughout the match as she shut out her opponent on her serve while relentlessly attacking her return games.

Swiatek broke three times without reply in the first set before striking twice more in the second to sprint to a dominant win, as Muchova failed to carve out a single break-point opportunity.

Looking for her third Indian Wells title in four years, Swiatek has now won 18 straight sets across nine consecutive victories – a run that saw her lift her second title last season and return to the last eight this year.

Simply put, she is formidable in these conditions and looks in unstoppable form once again in the Californian desert.

Swiatek, ranked No 2, will face the winner of the match between Chinese Zheng Qinwen , the No 8 seed, and Ukrainian Marta Kostyuk, the No 18 seed, next.

Earlier in the tournament, the Pole won against Frenchwoman Caroline Garcia (6-2, 6-0) and Ukrainian Dayana Yastremska (6-0, 6-2).

Muchova, ranked No 15, beat Italian Elisabetta Cocciaretto (6-4, 6-3) and Katerina Siniakova (7-5, 6-1) in the previous rounds of the Indian Wells tournament.

Indian Wells WTA 1000, other last-16 results (Indian Wells Tennis Garden, hard, USD 8.963.700, most recent results first):

• Qinwen Zheng vs. Marta Kostyuk
• Elena Rybakina vs. Mirra Andreeva
• Donna Vekic vs. Madison Keys
• Coco Gauff vs. Belinda Bencic
• Liudmila Samsonova vs. Jasmine Paolini
• Aryna Sabalenka vs. Sonay Kartal
• Elina Svitolina vs. Jessica Pegula