Bad Homburg, Germany – Fourth seed Iga Swiatek solved the crossword puzzle during an hour-long rain break on Thursday, but focused on reaching the bad Homburg Open semi-finals with a 6-4, 7-6 (5) victory over Russia’s Ekaterina Alexandrova.
Paul, who plays her only grass court tournament in the landing to Wimbledon starting next week, struggled from time to time, and had 37 forced errors against Alexandrova before setting up a semi-final against second-seeded Jasmine Palini.
“It was very windy today, so I think it was about adapting to the conditions,” Swiatek said. “On the other hand, it’s safe because it gets intense.”
“Ekaterina is a tough opponent. I’ve lost to her before. She can play great tennis and her flat shots really fit the grass, so I’m happy I’m going through.”
She won the first set after breaking Alexandrova twice, but the match was interrupted midway through the second set and rain began to fall.
Swiatek said he kept his focus on solving crossword puzzles during his break, and seemed to work as he kept his serve throughout the second set, clinched a tiebreak and then faced Paolini. Swiatek currently has a candid 4-0 lead over Paolini.
The Italian, a finalist at Wimbledon last year, recorded his fourth victory over Beatrice Haddad Maia in many meetings with a 7-5, 7-5 victory.
Also, when the Italian reached the fourth semi-final of the season, it was her first victory in her straight set.
Top seed Jessica Pegra joined her in the final four after she needed three sets to edge the edge past fellow Americans and fifth seed Emma Navarro 6-4 1-6 6-3.
Pegra will face 20-year-old Czech Linda Noskova, who defeated third-seeded Mira Andreva 6-3, 6-3.