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Iga Swiatek reflects on Belinda Bencic win and looks ahead to facing Paolini in semis

Originally posted on HITC | By Cameron Greenlees | Last updated Oct 9, 2025 2:27 PM ET

Iga Swiatek booked her spot in the Wuhan Open quarterfinals with a straight-sets win over Belinda Bencic, 7-6, 6-4.

Although the opening set went to a tiebreak, Swiatek kept her composure and didn’t let up from there. She took control early in the second set and held on to close it out.

The victory was also Swiatek’s 41st career win at the WTA 1000 level, matching Victoria Azarenka’s tally. Next up for Swiatek is Jasmine Paolini, an opponent she’s yet to lose to at tour level.

Swiatek shares thoughts after Wuhan Open win

Speaking after the match, Swiatek said: “For sure I wanted to play with confidence and make great decisions, because against Belinda you can’t let her dictate.

“I really tried to do that. It was super hard and every game was tough; that’s why it was two sets and over two hours, but I’m happy I was there in the deciding moments to play really solid and get every shot back.”

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Swiatek has won all six of her matches against Paolini on the WTA Tour, including their meeting in the 2024 Roland Garros final.

“She is a really tough opponent,” said Swiatek when asked about facing Paolini. “We already played a final this year.

Match	Winner
2025 Cincinnati Open Final	Swiatek
2025 Bad Homburg Semifinals	Swiatek
2024 Billie Jean King Cup Semifinals	Swiatek
2024 Roland Garros Final	Swiatek
2022 US Open First Round	Swiatek
2018 Prague Open Round of 16	Swiatek

“I know she can play amazing tennis, and she is a fighter. She never gives up. We have played a couple of tough matches and always seem to be ready for every ball to come back, so I will prepare and I will be ready.”

Jill Craybas says Iga Swiatek was ‘tested’ against Belinda Bencic

Discussing Swiatek’s performance on Sky Sports, former American tennis player Jill Craybas said: “Iga will definitely be pleased with that. She was tested, no doubt.

“I thought [Belinda] Bencic came out maybe a little bit slow in the beginning, but also, Iga started fast, and you have to credit Bencic for staying in there, trying to stay composed throughout that match.

“It was a better performance, I think, than Bencic had at Wimbledon, where Iga dominated, but Bencic should be pleased with the way she fought out there; didn’t back down at all.

“Iga… it felt like in that second set there was a moment where she really lifted her level at the right moment to be able to close it out in straight sets.”

Bencic has only won one of their six meetings so far – coming at the 2021 US Open – while Swiatek has now extended her head-to-head record against the Swiss star to 5-1.

This article first appeared on HITC and was syndicated with permission.

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