Swiatek beats Alexandrova to set up semifinal clash with Paolini at Bad Homburg

Five-time Grand Slam winner Iga Swiatek is one match away from her first ever grass-court final after downing Ekaterina Alexandrova 6-4, 7-6 (5) in Thursday’s quarterfinals at Bad Homburg.

The former World No. 1 will now face last year’s Wimbledon finalist Jasmine Paolini in the semifinals on Friday, the Italian progressing with a 7-5, 7-5 defeat of Beatriz Haddad Maia.

For Swiatek, 24, this is her second appearance in a grass-court semifinal, the first coming at Bad Homburg two years ago.

For the Polish winner of the French Open in 2020, 2022-24 and US Open in 2022 this is her first tournament on grass of the season, with Wimbledon starting on Monday.

Swiatek, beaten in the last four at Roland Garros three weeks ago, made it to the last eight at Wimbledon in 2023, her best result at the third Grand Slam of the year.

Friday’s other semifinal in Germany will be between top seed Jessica Pegula or Emma Navarro and Mirra Andreeva or Linda Noskova.