Iga Swiatek races past Cristina Bucsa to reach Australian Open last 16 as Spaniard picks up just one game

Updated 20/01/2023 at 07:29 GMT

Iga Swiatek only dropped one game as she progressed to the fourth round of the Australian Open for the fourth time in her career with an easy victory over qualifier Cristina Bucsa in under an hour. The world No. 1 is chasing her first Australian Open title as she looks to improve on her maiden semi-final appearance in 2022. Swiatek will play Wimbledon 2022 champion Elena Rybakina next.

Swiatek breaks right at the beginning of the match against Bucsa

Iga Swiatek has raced through to the last 16 of the Australian Open after crushing her opponent Cristina Bucsa 6-0 6-1 on Margaret Court Arena.

Bucsa, who had to battle through qualifying to reach the main draw, had no answer to the world No. 1 who was simply too clinical in the victory that took just 55 minutes.

The Pole will play Kazakhstan's Elena Rybakina next after she beat USA's Danielle Collins 6-2 5-7 6-2.

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"My main goal was to keep going and don't look at the score," Swiatek said after the match.

"I saw how Cristina can play when she played her last round. I know she can be solid so I didn't really want her to come back and I'm glad that I was really disciplined and focused on my tactics.

"I felt like I'm in a little bit of a flow so that's nice.

"I always try and focus on the same stuff, pretty technical stuff. It doesn't matter if I'm winning or losing it's all the same to help me to stay disciplined. That's all basically. I don't try to overanalyse it.

"I've always wanted to be that kind of player who is consistent so I'm pretty happy that I'm achieving that goal. I just remember how it was a couple of years ago. When I was in the fourth round I was really exhausted and right now I feel like this is the right place to be. Hopefully I'm going to continue playing solid and play more matches here.

"I'm really happy with the result. I just wanted to implement all the stuff I've been working on during pre-season. I'm just glad I've got another chance."

The first set was a whitewash with Bucsa never really in the contest.

The second set followed a similar pattern. Cheers rung around the court as Bucsa held one service game to make it 5-1.

But a wild backhand from Bucsa sealed the match for Swiatek who is showing why she is the favourite to win her third Grand Slam title.

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Stream the 2023 Australian Open live on discovery+, the Eurosport app and at eurosport.co.uk.

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