The Japan Times - Swiatek steps into unknown against Navarro in Melbourne quarters

Swiatek showed no mercy to end "lucky loser" Eva Lys's historic run, marching into the last eight 6-0, 6-1 in an hour.

All the Pole's wins in Melbourne have come in straight sets and she has dropped only 11 games.

By contrast, Navarro spent 2hr 40min on court, blowing three second-set match points before beating Daria Kasatkina 6-4, 5-7, 7-5 as she was taken the distance for a fourth match in a row.

"I don't know what I'm expecting," said five-time Grand Slam champion Swiatek of the American Navarro.

"We played in 2018, but I'm not going to count this.

"I have to treat Emma as someone that I never played. We both made huge progress since that time. It's a bit different when you don't know the opponent that well."

The world number two has spent less than five hours on court at the first Grand Slam of the year, while eighth seed Navarro has been extended to more than double that playing time.

"They played that song that goes 'staying alive' at 5-4 in the third set," said Navarro after another gutsy marathon against the Russian ninth seed Kasatkina.

"And I kind of felt like that was really appropriate this whole tournament," added Navarro, the US Open semi-finalist last year who is into her maiden quarter-final at Melbourne Park.

- 'Lot to improve'-

Navarro has become a three-set specialist with no WTA player playing through more since the beginning of 2024, with the American 24-9 over the distance since then.

"I've just been staying alive, so hoping to continue on that train," added Navarro, who has won all 15 career Grand Slam matches after winning the first set.

Navarro will need to find a way to finish off games against Swiatek after creating 25 break points against Kasatkina but only converting nine.

Swiatek warned her best was yet to come as she closes in on a maiden Melbourne title.

"There's a lot to improve. I don't feel like I'm in my peak yet," warned Swiatek, who has dropped only two games in her last two matches.

Swiatek has a patchy record in Melbourne, only reaching the semi-finals once, in 2022, but warned she was in the mood this year.

"I usually didn't feel comfortable at the Australian Open with my game," she said.

"But this year it's a bit better. So I'm just enjoying being on the court and off the court as well.

"Because for sure I have an amazing time here, and hopefully it's gonna last even longer."

Lys created two break points in the opening game, but Swiatek stepped up her pace to save both and then brutally crushed the world number 128.

But the 23-year-old Lys had already made history by reaching the fourth round at Melbourne Park, a feat not achieved by a women's lucky loser since the tournament moved there in 1988.

A few minutes after Swiatek's victory, the World Anti-Doping Agency said it would not appeal against her one-month doping ban last year.

WADA said it made the decision after "a thorough review" found that her explanation, and accepted by tennis authorities, was "plausible".

She has said that non-prescription medication designed to help her sleep was contaminated, leading to the failed drugs test.

"I'm just satisfied that I got closure," said Swiatek. "I kind of want to focus on the tournament, so it's good that the process is over."

K.Abe--JT