Iga Swiatek is aware of the improvements Coco Gauff has made in her game since they last met on the WTA Tour, and is expecting a 'tight' match in Saturday's semifinal in Beijing.
The World No. 2 and No. 3 will square off in a marquee matchup at the China Open. Swiatek, the reigning French Open champion, will face US Open champion Gauff in the most anticipated semifinal that had tennis purists counting rounds when the draw was released.
Gauff extended her winning streak to 16 matches, the longest by any WTA player this season with a victory over Maria Sakkari in Friday's quarterfinal. It was her most complete performance this week where her authoritative baseline game proved insurmountable for the in-form Greek.
Swiatek, meanwhile, survived an almighty scrap against French ninth seed Caroline Garcia, where she came within a few points from defeat before turning the match around. The second seed prevailed 6-7, 7-6, 6-1 in just over two and a half hours.
Swiatek will face a litmus test of her title credentials on Saturday when she faces Gauff, who has been on a rampage since the start of the US swing. Having enjoyed an unblemished record over the young American in their head-to-head before the summer hard-court season, Gauff landed the first telling blow in the series in Cincinnati.
Ahead of their semifinal match, Swiatek is expecting a revitalized opponent. Unlike seven of their first eight meetings in which Swiatek outplayed her, things are looking very different this time, and the Pole might not be the overwhelming favorite in the matchup as in previous encounters.
"I haven't seen her much, but I'm aware of what she's doing. I also know how she plays, what has improved & what has changed. I'll use that information & not overanalyze it too much because I think we're both good players. Now we just have to fight & it probably won't be an easy match. It will be tight."
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