Swiatek Dismantles In-Form Jovic in Beijing to Reach 31st WTA 1000 Quarterfinal

Iga Swiatek is through to the quarterfinals of the China Open after brushing aside rising star Iva Jovic 6-1, 6-3 in their first career meeting in Beijing on Wednesday.

The six-time Grand Slam champion was ruthless early, reeling off the first five games and converting her fifth set point to take the opener. Jovic, the 18-year-old American who arrived in Beijing on a six-match winning streak following her Guadalajara title last month and a career-high ranking of world No. 13, briefly threatened a fightback in the second. She broke back from 2-0 down and nudged ahead 3-2 after saving two break points, but Swiatek won the next four games to close it out in one hour and 36 minutes.

"For sure today, I was using more of the chances that I got," Swiatek said. "I was more proactive, maybe changing the directions more instead of just being solid, more intense. Everything was working today."

The win was Swiatek's ninth against a top-20 opponent this season and her 31st career WTA 1000 quarterfinal — only Aryna Sabalenka, with 33, has more among active players. It was also her 148th WTA 1000 main-draw victory, drawing her level with Serena Williams; only Sabalenka (156) has more among active players.

Swiatek will face No. 13 seed Elise Mertens in the quarterfinals. Mertens beat Coco Gauff 6-3, 6-3 in another fourth-round clash on Tuesday but has lost both of her previous meetings with Swiatek.