Coco Gauff shocks Swiatek as Ruud marches into Madrid Open Semi-Finals

Defending champion Iga Swiatek was handed a resounding defeat in the semi-finals of the Madrid Open on Thursday, as American sensation Coco Gauff cruised to a commanding 6-1, 6-1 victory.

The world number two from Poland, a five-time Grand Slam champion, failed to earn a single break point and dropped her serve five times in a match that lasted just 64 minutes.

Despite her reputation as a clay court specialist, Swiatek struggled for consistency throughout her title defence in the Spanish capital. She had already dropped sets to Alexandra Eala and Diana Shnaider in earlier rounds, and was stunned by a 6-0 set loss to Madison Keys in just 24 minutes on Wednesday. Although she managed to rally past Keys, Swiatek proved no match for the relentless Gauff, who earned her first career win over the Pole on clay.

Gauff, 21, asserted her dominance from the outset, breaking Swiatek in the third, fifth and seventh games to claim the opening set, converting on her second set point. The American added two further breaks in the second set and sealed the win in style, holding serve to love on her first match point.

Later on Thursday, last year’s finalist Aryna Sabalenka was due to face the in-form Elina Svitolina in the second women’s semi-final.

In the men’s draw, Norwegian star Casper Ruud advanced to the semi-finals with a 6-3, 7-5 victory over Daniil Medvedev. Having beaten Taylor Fritz in the previous round, Ruud finally secured his maiden win over Medvedev following three previous defeats.

A consistent force on clay, Ruud broke Medvedev in the fourth game of the opening set and remained in control throughout. The second set was more competitive, but Ruud claimed a decisive break in the 11th game and served out the match. Medvedev, who has frequently voiced his aversion to clay, struggled throughout, committing 33 unforced errors and four double faults in a lacklustre performance.

Currently ranked 15th in the world, Ruud will now face Francisco Cerundolo, who staged a comeback to defeat Jakub Mensik 3-6, 7-6 (7/5), 6-2. The remaining quarter-final fixtures will see fifth seed Jack Draper take on Matteo Arnaldi, while Lorenzo Musetti faces Gabriel Diallo.