Maria Sakkari delivered a defining performance to eliminate World No. 2 Iga Swiatek, recovering from a difficult opening set to win 2-6, 6-4, 7-5. The quarter-final encounter on hard courts spanned two hours and 23 minutes, testing the physical endurance of both competitors.

Ranked 52nd, Sakkari is enjoying a significant resurgence this week. This victory builds on her impressive second-round dismissal of World No. 8 Jasmine Paolini, solidifying a run where she has now dismantled two top-10 seeds. Her ability to stabilize after dropping the first set was pivotal to the upset.

Swiatek arrived in the quarter-finals with momentum, having conceded just five games combined in dominant wins over Daria Kasatkina and Janice Tjen. However, this loss echoes her recent quarter-final defeat to Elena Rybakina in late January, highlighting a recurring struggle to close out matches against high-caliber aggressive opponents in 2026.

While Swiatek looks to regain the consistency that saw her reach multiple finals late last season, Sakkari advances to the semi-finals. The Greek player's current form indicates a sharp return to elite competitiveness following a mixed start to her 2026 campaign.