Iga Swiatek WTA Finals hopes dented as Elise Mertens reaches first WTA 1000 semi-final since 2021

Iga Swiatek was one of the favourites for the title after big names in the China Open fell around her. She is the latest to depart after a brilliant performance by Elise Mertens sees her advance with a 7-6(0), 6-3 victory.

This is Mertens first quarter-final appearance at WTA 1000 level since 2021. It was her best run in China, but it could most certainly get better after taking down Coco Gauff in the last-16. She had never defeated Swiatek before today.

It is, in turn, a huge blow for Swiatek’s WTA Finals aspirations. She is not currently in the provisional qualifying positions for the climax event on the WTA calendar. After featuring in each of the editions in the prior five years, that may not be the case this time out. She had reached the semi-final stage of the last three WTA 1000 tournaments, but she cannot continue that impressive streak.

There were early signs that Mertens would be a threat for Swiatek, but the first set was completely break-free. Mertens dominated the tiebreak before a single break of serve in the second set was enough of a buffer between her and Swiatek as she completed the semi-final lineup, home favourite Zheng Qinwen waiting for her in a tantalising matchup.

Swiatek was firmly under the cosh in the early stages. Mertens piled the pressure on with her first two service games, encountering break points. Swiatek showcased her quality to escape those chances and soon found her feet on court.

What followed was a period of comfortable holds. Neither player really looked too threatening against the serve as the first set was levelled at 5-5. Inevitably, a tiebreak would be called upon.

This was a huge contrast to the rest of the opening set. Mertens was rampant. At the change of ends, she boasted a 6-0 lead. She had no problem seeing it out with her first set point, blasting herself ahead and one set away from a first ever semi-final in Beijing.

She continued this good streak with a tight hold before ramping the pressure on Swiatek. A break point was saved in the second game, but that was not the case in the fourth game. The 25-year-old would be in a lot of trouble as Mertens fired herself into a 3-1 lead.

A hold to love successfully backed up the break to make it 4-1 and moved her within two games of a first WTA 1000 semi-final since the 2021 Dubai Duty free Tennis Championships. Swiatek was unable to make any dent against the serve with Mertens sailing towards the finishing line. She got the job done with a tight service game, and is two wins away from a maiden WTA 1000 title.