TOKYO: Four-time Grand Slam champion Iga Swiatek and world number four Jessica Pegula surged into the quarterfinals of the WTA Pan Pacific Open in Tokyo on Wednesday with straight-sets victories.
Poland’s former world number one Swiatek beat Japan’s spirited Mai Hontama 6-4, 7-5 and faces Russia’s Veronika Kudermetova in the last eight.
“I didn’t really start well,” Swiatek, the top seed and now second in the world, said.
Swiatek reeled off five games on the bounce to finally break the resolve of the dogged qualifier.
“I’m happy I won five games in a row because it shows I could play my ten-nis,” Swiatek added, calling her opponent “tough” and someone who “fought for everything”.
Pegula, of the United States, had an easier time in beating Spain’s Cristi-na Bucsa 6-1, 6-2.
“I thought today I played a really solid, clean match,” Pegula, the second seed, said.
“I think I struggled with my serve maybe at the first set... but I was able to return really well and do everything I think that I wanted to do.” Agencies
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