Iga Swiatek
mentioned that she wasn't bothered by Yulia Putintseva's underarm service
during their encounter at Indian Wells. The world No. 1 secured another
impressive victory, conceding only three games, and advanced to the
quarterfinals at the Tennis Paradise.
The 4-times
Grand Slam champion was vastly superior to her opponent for a significant
portion of the match, despite facing some challenges with her serve in the
second set. Swiatek broke Putintseva's serve on 6 out of 7 possible occasions,
frustrating the Kazakh player who displayed clear signs of frustration multiple
times.
The world
No. 79 found herself at 0-40 in the third game of the second set and attempted
to surprise Swiatek with an underarm service, which landed slightly outside but
was nonetheless reached and returned by the Polish player. As she mentioned
after the match, Swiatek was not bothered by Putintseva's unconventional
service:
"Maybe
they teach that in Kazakhstan. I don't know, because Bublik does the same. I
don't really care. Honestly, if the serve would be in, that would be my best
return probably of the match (smiling)."
"I was
actually unhappy that it was out. But, I mean, I'm ready for anything that
comes to me, so I don't really care what's going on on the other side of the
net," Swiatek added.
The Polish
player's victory continues to showcase her excellent form, as she has not
conceded more than four games in each of her matches against Danielle Collins
(6-3, 6-9), Linda Noskova (6-4, 6-0), and now Putintseva (6-1, 6-2).
In the
quarterfinals, she will face the former world No. 1 Caroline Wozniacki, whom
she already encountered at the 2019 Toronto Open. In that match, a young
Swiatek, 18 years old and coming from the qualifying rounds, overcame Wozniacki
(No. 18 at the time) with a score of 1-6, 6-3, 6-4.
Cristhián Ávila is a tennis journalist based in Santiago, Chile, and has been part of the TennisUpToDate team since early 2023. He covers the ATP and WTA Tours as well as all four Grand Slams, producing breaking news, match reports, analysis, and regular liveblogs from major tournaments.
His reporting combines statistical analysis with clear explanation, helping readers understand tactical developments, player form, and broader storylines across the tour. Working fluently in both Spanish and English, Cristhián collaborates with an international editorial team and contributes to comprehensive global coverage. As part of his work, he has conducted interviews and media interactions with leading figures in the sport, including Caroline Wozniacki and John McEnroe.
In his journalism, Cristhián places strong emphasis on careful sourcing, editorial accuracy, and updating articles promptly when new, verified information becomes available. His coverage is grounded in research, context, and direct engagement with professional tennis.