Zero sets lost, only 14 games dropped, and service broken only twice, an Australian Open journey to be remembered for none other than current world No. 2 Iga Swiatek. Bringing her clay-like dominance Down Under, the Pole has just raced into her second AO semi-final. It marks her first Grand Slam final-four appearance outside of the French Open since she won the US Open in 2022. Exceptional. right? However, the former world No. 1 Caroline Wozniacki reckons her semi-final opponent might create hurdles that none of her opponents did so far in the tournament.

It’s been quite a run for Iga Swiatek at the ongoing AO, but she has faced no top 40 opponents in the first week, Iga’s run till the fourth round was scintillating. She pulled off remarkable wins against Kateřina Siniaková, Rebecca Šramková, Emma Raducanu, and Eva Lys in straight sets in the first four rounds respectively, setting her QF clash against 8th seed American Emma Navarro. The Navarro match turned out to be a one-sided affair as well! The Pole convincingly won in straight sets 6-1, 6-2, booking her place in the final four.

Her opponent in the semis now? Well, another American Madison Keys. However, that match might not be a cruise for Swiatek, per the former Wimbledon winner Wozniacki.

Caroline Wozniacki sat down with Rennae Stubbs at ‘The Rennae Stubbs Podcast’, just before yesterday’s QF clashes at the AO where she shared her views about Madison Keys. “At the same time, you have Keys, who’s been playing extremely well, she has a lot of power. She can beat anyone on a good day. She can also lose to Svitolina. You know Madison has been playing so well, I think she feels more relaxed now too. I don’t know, she got married, and her husband is her coach. I don’t know, I don’t feel like she’s overwhelmed by the situation right now and she’s been playing well here. So I think I mean that could go anywhere. She could lose to Svitolina next, Svitolina’s been playing well, but she could also go all the way and overpower her opponents,” Wozniacki said.

Madison Keys has been on a rollercoaster ride since the start of the new season. Despite her QF exit from ASB Classic, she came strong at the Adelaide International, winning the final against fellow countrywoman Jessica Pegula before making her way to the AO. And boy oh boy! What a run she has had at the AO till now! Since her first round, the 19th seed American has beaten Ann Li, Elena-Gabriela Ruse, Danielle Collins, and No. 6 seed Elena Rybakina convincingly, booking her place at the QF. And despite losing the first set in yesterday’s QF against Elina Svitolina, she came back in her second and third, winning the match 3-6, 6-3, 6-4, setting up a semi-final match against Iga Swiatek.

With a 4-1 head-to-head record, Swiatek will have an upper hand, going into the match against Madison Keys. But before that match, Iga is in the news for another reason. What’s that?

“I thought this was the umpire’s job to call it,” Iga Swiatek’s bold reply after double bounce backlash in ongoing AO

The five-time Grand Slam winner Iga Swiatek is looking to add another major title to his tally as she goes head-to-head against Madison Keys in a Thursday afternoon clash on Rod Laver Arena. However, ahead of that match, she denied any wrongdoing in the aftermath of a controversial moment during her QF match against Emma Navarro.

The incident unfolded in the second set with the Pole already leading 6-1, 2-2. However, as Navvaro attempted a drop shot, the ball appeared to bounce twice before Swiatek returned it. Despite Navarro’s appeal for VAR, the chair umpire Asderaki-Moore denied it, stating the rule about stopping play from the player’s end for an immediate review. But as Iga went on and won the set and the match comprehensively, she received a lot of flak for not acknowledging the double bounce herself. 

Iga responded to the criticism at her post-match press conference. “I didn’t see the replay because after the point, I didn’t look up at the screens. I wasn’t sure if it was a double bounce or if I hit it with my frame. I was fully sprinting, and sometimes you don’t really look when you hit the ball. I thought this was the umpire’s job to call it. I was waiting for the VAR, but I didn’t see it, so I just kind of proceeded. I’m just here to play my best tennis, Calls like that are part of the game, and it’s up to the officials to make them,” the Pole said.

Although on the losing side, Navarro also came to Iga’s defense in her post-match interview. “I’m not blaming her at all. Umpires are there to make those calls. Iga was just playing her game, and I don’t think she did anything wrong,” the American remarked.

As things have shaped, the Pole is all set for another epic blockbuster on the Rod Laver Arena. Will she make it to the final? Share your thoughts below!