Untroubled Swiatek into Dubai semi-finals following Pliskova illness

The 21-year-old Pole triumphed 6-1, 6-0 to follow her opening 6-1, 6-1 win over Leylah Fernandez.

Swiatek has dropped only eight games in her last six matches, a stretch which saw her lift the Doha title last weekend.

"She is different," tweeted men's former world number one Andy Murray in appreciation.

Swiatek was due to take on former Dubai finalist Karolina Pliskova in Thursday's quarter-finals after she booked her last-eight spot with a 7-5, 6-7 (6/8), 6-2 victory over Ukraine's Anhelina Kalinina.

However, Pliskova had to withdraw from the tournament due to a viral illness which gives Swiatek a spot in the semi-finals.

Australian Open champion Aryna Sabalenka made it 13 wins in 13 matches in 2023 by dethroning defending champion Jelena Ostapenko 2-6, 6-1, 6-1.

"In the first set, she played unbelievable tennis and I couldn't do anything," world number two Sabalenka said.

"I was looking at my team asking like, 'What can I do?' but somehow, I turned around this game, and started playing really incredible tennis."

Coco Gauff and Madison Keys will meet in an all-American quarter-final.

Fifth-seeded Gauff advanced when Wimbledon champion Elena Rybakina withdrew from their last 16 clash due to a lower back injury.

Keys booked her quarter-final spot with a 6-2, 6-1 win over former world number one Victoria Azarenka in just 57 minutes.